Updated 24 April 2019.
Below we list prayers and responses to the attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday 21 April 2019:
Church responses
Catholic Church in England and Wales
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has written to the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith:
Your Eminence,I woke this morning to the sad and shocking news of the bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, after the recent years of peace.
I write to assure you of my prayers, and, I am sure, of the prayers of many within England and Wales, first and foremost, for those who have died. We also keep in our prayers those who have been injured, and whose lives have been radically changed by this violence.
We remember in our prayers especially this morning the Sri Lankan community in England and Wales, many of whom may well have direct connections with those caught up in these atrocities. I feel deep dismay that those targeted and killed include Catholics gathering to celebrate the joy of Easter. They have a special place in our prayers.
May the risen Lord strengthen all people in Sri Lanka, and nurture in them an unquenchable hope, both in the promise of heaven and in our capacity to contribute to the building of a peaceful society.
Church of England
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has sent a message to the service of prayer for Sri Lanka:
I am profoundly shocked and deeply saddened by the appalling events in Sri Lanka yesterday.
There is something especially blasphemous about the wanton and indiscriminate taking of human life on the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord of all life: Jesus Christ, Saviour of the World.
The killing of those who were engaged in worship is an obscene denial of the basic freedom God has given us all. Sri Lanka has suffered so much as a nation and the trauma of these deaths cannot serve the purpose of anyone who truly knows God, the creator and sustainer of life in all its fullness.
Although I cannot be with you in person, please be assured of my thoughts and prayers for you as you meet in Southall and for all who grieve in Sri Lanka.
We are called to be part of the global body of Christ and we hurt because others are hurt; we mourn when others mourn; we cry out on behalf of the injured, the bereaved and the terrified; and we pray that Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankans across the globe, will know the peace and protection of Almighty God this evening.
The message is available on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.
Church of Scotland
Rt Rev Susan Brown, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland:
“We are tremendously sad to hear news from Sri Lanka that more than 200 people have died in bombing attacks targeted at churches and hotels.
“That these attacks have been perpetrated on Easter Sunday, the highlight of the Christian year, is devastating to all the churches in Sri Lanka and to Christians around the world.
“Let us all pray with and for St Andrew’s, Colombo and all those caught up in the bombings, for those injured and for the families of those tragically killed, and for the leaders of Sri Lanka to offer wisdom in their reactions to these terrible events.”
You can read the whole response on the Church of Scotland website.
Rev Liam Fraser has also opened a crowdfunding page to help those affected.
Church in Wales
The Archbishop of Wales has condemned as ‘barbaric’ the terrorist attacks and called on the church to work for peace and justice:
“On the very day when Christians throughout the world were celebrating the truth that the barbarism and cruelty of Good Friday had not overcome love and justice, we were greeted by news of the atrocities in Sri Lanka, a country well-used to terror but which, for the past ten years has been relatively peaceful. Cold, calculating and carefully planned barbaric acts of terror were launched against people exercising their freedom to worship, relax or go about their daily business. I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, those possessed of perverse and sick minds and who both planned and executed these dreadful attacks. We remember in our prayers the dead, the injured and those who grieve, together with all those who continue to work for social cohesion, tolerance peace and justice.
“People of a good heart and loving mind must not let such events dim their desire to continue to work for a world and for communities where these things will no longer be tolerated.”
Methodist Church in Ireland
The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Billy Davison said:
“It’s ironic that on this Easter Day, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, that I am offering the prayers and the sympathy of the Methodist Church in Ireland, to those who have lost loved ones and those who have suffered severe injuries as a result of this deliberate act of carnage.
May those who carried out this act of destruction in the hope of fermenting reprisals, witness the coming together of Christians and other people of good will, to build a better future for the peoples of Sri Lanka”.
The statement is available on the Methodist Church in Ireland website.
Quakers in Britain
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain said “We are saddened to hear of this tragic loss of life including Christians at prayer being targeted in this way. We are holding in the Light all who are suffering.”
See the Quakers in Britain website.
Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
Places of worship must be places of peace, free from fear, said the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney:
“I am shocked at the appalling attacks on innocent civilians in Sri Lanka. No political or other cause can justify or excuse the bombing of people at worship or simply going about their daily lives”
He stressed that Ireland “strongly supports everyone’s freedom of religion and belief” and added that attacks such as those in Sri Lanka and in Christchurch, New Zealand and elsewhere were “a challenge to us all to do everything that we can to defend that right”.
You can read the full response on catholicireland.net.
United Reformed Church (URC)
The Revd John Proctor, General Secretary of the URC, said:
“As we greeted Easter Day, shocking news came from Sri Lanka of bombs in churches and hotels, and of many deaths.
“Christ of life and hope, we turn our hearts, prayers and tears to these places of death and sorrow. For the injured and bereaved, we pray mercy and courage. For those who give medical care, stamina and compassion. For the nation’s leaders, wise words and well-judged deeds, as they speak and act for peace and order. And for the churches, resilience, faith, and a sure and steady love for neighbour.
“Christ of life and hope, be present amid the grief and among the grieving, and touch these places and people with your goodness.”
The response is available on the URC website.
National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL)
The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) along with her constituencies views the bomb attacks which began in the morning hours on ‘Easter Sunday’ 21 April 2019 with shock, disgust and horror.
The said attack targeting the ‘faithful’ at worship in Churches celebrating ‘Easter Sunday’ commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ and ‘guests’ in Hotels has claimed around 260 human lives and inflicting injuries to well over 400 men, women and children, including severe damages to property and buildings.
The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) expresses its deep sorrow and sadness at the cruel and inhuman act and offers its condolences and prayers for the families of the bereaved and for speedy recovery of the ‘injured’.
‘Life’, we believe is God-oriented and any attempt to destroy such right to life with violence by any person or group deserves outright condemnation as an act of brutal insanity and impervious to reason.
In the midst of destruction, terror and chaos that reigned, we commend the decisive action initiated by the State in maintaining law and order preventing further damage and suffering, and for the committed services of the ‘health sector’ in the care and treatment of the injured.
Finally, in the ensuing time of confusion and disaster and as we stand in solidarity with the afflicted, we also call upon all people to be calm and act with restraint, offering all support and assistance towards the investigations that are being carried out with necessary action there-to.
See the NCCSL website.
World Council of Churches (WCC)
WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said: “While we still await information regarding the perpetrators and their motives, we strongly condemn these attacks on people gathered at worship and on tourists visiting Sri Lanka, and offer our heartfelt prayers for the victims and condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in these appalling acts of violence.”
Tveit added: “As a global fellowship of churches, we stand in special solidarity with the Christians of Sri Lanka who have been attacked in this vicious way while celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pivotal moment in the faith journey for all Christians.”
Tveit also said “The targeting of churches in this manner is an attack on religious peace and harmony and on the social and cultural fabric of the nation, which has long struggled to uphold principles of religious harmony and diversity.”
Commenting on the attack on the community of St Anthony’s Church, Kochikade, a national shrine held in deep respect and visited by people of many faiths, Tveit said: “Such acts of violence undermine the sanctity of life and constitute a sacrilege in many senses. Even as we cry out against this sacrilege, we resolutely affirm that violence must not beget violence. In the spirit of the love of Christ, on this Easter Day, we hold fast to the belief that violence, hatred and death will not have the last word.”
You can read the full statement on the WCC website.
Prayers
Creator God, who loves peace and concord,
We bring before you the people of Sri Lanka.
Just as your Son suffered betrayal and agony on Good Friday,
They have faced brutality and violence on Easter Day.
May the church and hotel communities who have faced attack, find reassurance and healing;
May the bereaved friends and families, find consolation after tears,
May those who believe terrorism changes things, discover the power of love and hope.
Loving God, who hates nothing you have made,
We bring before you the divisions we have created,
Ethnic, religious, national, class and many more.
May we be hopeful rather than harsh,
May we avoid the barbed word in favour of affirming phrases,
May we offer a smiling eye rather than an uncaring glance.
Compassionate God, who brings healing and peace for all,
Look now on the bereaved, the injured and the fearful in Sri Lanka.
We pray in the name of Jesus, friend and companion.
Amen
Steve Pearce, Methodist World Church Relationships Asia/Pacific
Dear Lord,
In this world of violence,
How can we speak your word?
Where crushed and broken bodies lie,
the darkness of evil consumes,
deep chasms of broken trust,
and fathomless abyss of divison and hatred.
How can we speak the words of love?
We pray for the suffering of Sri Lanka,
Bring light Lord Jesus and bring hope amidst the destruction, walk alongside, reach out your hand, wipe the tears and heal the wounds.
Be in every caring touch,
And let them hear your words of love.
Through the transforming love of Christ
Amen
Katherine Baxter
