Image
Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC

Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit condemned an attack at a church in Pakistan that killed at least eight people and injured dozens of others. Tveit expressed sorrow for the lives lost in the suicide bomb and gun attack.

The violence targeted Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, occurring as some 200 worshippers gathered inside to attend a Sunday midday service. Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province.

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the gate of the church, then a second attacker fired upon worshippers, before being killed by security forces at the scene.

Tveit urged people to continue to stand united against such violence. We condemn this tragic disregard for human life at a time when people were gathered to worship as a community. We will not allow this devastating act weaken our faith, our unity, and our common work for peace and justice in the world.

WCC member churches in Pakistan