'Stay strong in your faith in God'

National and international Christian organisations and inter-faith groups have sent messages of support, prayers and condolences following the attack in Westminster on Wednesday

 
The Revd Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, quoted Isaiah 41:10 in a letter to member churches in Great Britain.
 
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
 
Expressing 'sincere condolences and sympathy', he wrote,

‘I speak for the whole fellowship of Christian churches around the world when I say that we unconditionally condemn this criminal act of terror, whatever the motivation behind it have been, and we stand in solidarity with you in these difficult and trying circumstances.’

 
Urging Christians to stay strong in your faith in God, He continued,

‘We also pray for and with you, our sisters and brothers in ministry, as you struggle to find meaning and direction after these events and to pursue your pastoral care and leadership with all people. We utterly condemn such violence and the terror it engenders; but we know that it will not shake your resolve as Christians.
 
‘We urge you to stay strong in your faith in God but also in your commitment to God’s love, which embraces all, and God’s reign, which holds out hope for a just and inclusive society, one of compassion and reconciliation. It is sorely needed now.’

 
Read the letter here.
 
 
The co-chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum, issued a statement, saying,

‘Terrorism is profoundly at odds with the values of our faith traditions and of the values at the heart of British society.  We deplore and condemn it.   
 
‘Attacks of this kind are designed to disrupt our society and to undermine the relationships within it. Let us resist this at all costs and stand together in unity.
 
‘Let us also watch out for the wellbeing of any groups who may be targeted because of terrorist actions which claim, or are perceived by some, as having a link to them. There is no place for prejudice and hatred of that kind and where it is found, let us redouble efforts to combat it.'

 
 
A statement was released by the Presidents of Churches Together in England expressing ‘sincere condolences’ to the bereaved families and friends of those who lost their lives. It added:
 

'The Presidents pray for the healing of those injured, and for the wellbeing of our society in which all seek after and promote the common good in a spirit of love for our fellow human beings.
 
They pray too for Parliament, the police and the emergency services who responded with such bravery, professionalism and compassion, and who continue to support all those affected by this terrible attack.'

 
 
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) issued a statement grieving ‘this loss of life and disruption of peace in the heart of one of Europe’s busiest and most vibrant cities where people of different origins and faiths live and work together.’ It continued, 'We join in prayers for the victims, those who knew and loved them, and for those who selflessly risked their own lives to protect and help others.'
 
'In this solemn season of Lent, we lament the sins of our societies,' said CEC General Secretary Fr Heikki Huttunen. 'As we turn our attention toward London, and call for peace, we acknowledge that such violence is an all too common occurrence throughout the world. We must all contribute to societies where inclusion and harmony pervade.'
 
The statement noted that so far in March alone, terrorist and other acts of violence have claimed hundreds of lives in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, India, and elsewhere. 


Picture | Koala99 | Flickr | Creative Commons