Image
The WCC Executive Committee statement was read during a prayer service at Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Geneva. © WCC/Peter Williams

The WCC Executive Committee statement was read during a prayer service at Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Geneva. © WCC/Peter Williams

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has strongly condemned the latest terror attacks in Paris and Beirut.  In a statement issued on 14 November during their meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the WCC Executive Committee 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."

“We cannot and do not accept that such a terrorist atrocity can ever be justified in the name of God or of any religion. Violence in the name of religion is violence against religion. We condemn, reject and denounce it. Let us confront it by holding firm to and upholding the democratic, intercultural and human rights values that this terrorism seeks to attack.”

The statement continued:  “Let us not allow these events to diminish our care and hospitality to those fleeing violence and oppression. Let us continue to strive to do what we know is required of us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God on the way of justice and peace.”

The WCC statement pledged and encouraged prayer for and solidarity with the victims and those close to them.

Read full text of the WCC statement (also available in French and Arabic)

Read the WCC general secretary's letter of solidarity to churches in France

WCC member churches in France

WCC member churches in Lebanon

Communiqué by the Protestant Federation of France (in English and in French)

Message by the United Protestant Church of France (in English and in French)