Updated 10.30am, 14th May, 2018
Thirteen people have died and more than 40 have been injured after suicide bombers attacked three churches in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city.
The almost simultaneous attacks, the deadliest in Indonesia since 2005, took place during Sunday morning services. The first explosion reportedly took place around 7.30am at the Santa Maria Tak Bercela Catholic Church and was followed by attacks at the Surabaya Pentecostal Church and Diponegoro Indonesian Christian Church.
Indonesian police have confirmed the six attackers were all members of the same family including two girls aged 12 and nine. A group inspired by the so-called Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the attacks, is believed of being behind the attacks.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo described the attacks as “barbaric” and “beyond the limit of humanity”.
“It’s against our religious values, the precious values of God and diversity,” he was quoted as saying.
The World Council of Churches condemned the attacks with Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary, offering “heartfelt condolences” to those affected.
“It is shocking that this attack was directed against people who were gathered for worship, and that this attack comes on the heels of ongoing violence and persecution,” he said. “In the face of this brutality, the human family, all people of faith and of good will, must stand together to recommit to respecting and caring for one another, to protecting one another, and to preventing such violence.”
The WCC appealed to President Widodo, religious and government leaders to “act swiftly and boldly” in safeguarding the “fundamental religious rights of worshippers of all faiths, to ensure security in the face of violence and to guarantee justice for all people”.
Rev Dr Tveit added that government action in the aftermath of the attack “must be matched by solidarity among Christians, Muslims and people of all faiths as they interact at the local level and together denounce any violent attack”.
Godfrey Yogarajah, deputy secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, condemned the attack as “mindless”.
“We stand in solidarity with Christians in Indonesia during this difficult time and call on the global Church to pray for all those affected in the attacks,” he said.
Both Christian leaders have called for prayer in the wake of the attacks.
