World church leaders have joined the chorus of voices from around the world in expressing their grief and horror – and solidarity with the Muslim victims – following a terror attack involving two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday.
Forty-nine people have been confirmed killed after mass shootings took place at two mosques from about 1.40pm local time on Friday with another 48 reportedly being treated in hospital. Four people have been arrested and a 28-year-old Australian man was due to face court this morning.
In a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis expressed his “deep sadness” at the “senseless acts of violence” at the two mosques and assured all New Zealanders and, in particular the Muslim community, of his “heartfelt solidarity”.
“Mindful of the efforts of the security and emergency personnel in this difficult situation, His Holiness prays for the healing of the injured, the consolation of those who grieve the loss of their loved ones, and for all affected by this tragedy,” the telegram read.
Rev Dr Olav Fyske Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches described the “terrible crime” as an “attack on all believers and an assault on the bonds of shared humanity and peaceful co-existence which unite us all”.
“The WCC stands in solidarity with all Muslims at this time, especially the Muslims of Aotearoa New Zealand, and expresses the strongest possible condemnation of these actions and of the hateful and dangerous ideologies that stand behind them,” he said in published remarks.
Expressing his “deep condolences” to the Muslim community and all the people of New Zealand, he said the WCC were praying that “all the communities of Aotearoa New Zealand will come together to support those who have suffered so dreadfully and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the safety and flourishing of all its people.”
Rev Ray Coster, a member of the WCC central committee from New Zealand, echoed the words of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in saying some of those affected “may be migrants or refugees”.
“They are part of us. Many came seeking refuge and safety as Aotearoa New Zealand is perceived as a safe place. As a nation we value compassion, kindness and tolerance. What we have seen today has no place in our culture.”
On Friday, Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, released a statement on behalf of church leaders in the city, in which he said church leaders were “absolutely devastated” at the attacks.
“No religious organisation or group deserves to be the target of someone’s hate – regardless of beliefs,” he said. “We stand for an Aotearoa New Zealand which will never condone such violence. So across the churches of Christchurch and Canterbury, we are praying for our Muslim brothers and sisters, for those injured and those who have lost loved ones, for the police, ambulance and other emergency services, and for all in the city of Christchurch who are feeling distress and fear due to this event.
“We are upholding you all in our prayers. We pray too for the shooter and their supporters, because for any person to do this, they must have such hatred in their hearts, such misalignment of the value of human life, that they too, need our prayer. We thank many others from around our nation and the world who are praying for peace in Christchurch.”
On Friday, New Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the attacks as one of the country’s “darkest days” and said the country had been targeted because of its values which would not be shaken because of it.
Around the world, other leaders also expressed their condolences and condemned the attacks. Queen Elizabeth II, New Zealand’s head of state, said she was “deeply saddened” by the attack and British Prime Minister Theresa May called it “sickening”.
US President Donald Trump said his country stood by New Zealand “for anything we can do” and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians were appalled by the attack and that, far too often Muslims had suffered “unimaginable loss and pain in the places where they should feel safest”.
In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the attacks the latest example of rising Islamophobia in comments that were echoed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan.
On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country condemned “absolutely the attack that occurred today by an extremist, right wing, violent terrorist”.
