News
World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit condemned violence in the Netherlands, where a gunman opened fire on a tram in Utrecht, killing three people and injuring five on 18 March.
Authorities were still determining whether the incident would be considered a terrorist attack or a domestic dispute. Though police arrested a suspect, it was still unclear how many people were involved.
“Once again, people going about their daily lives have suffered an attack that tears at the trust in communities,” said Tveit. “We condemn this act, and we resolve to strengthen our pursuit of just peace and our resolve to stand together.”
Utrecht, about 25 miles from Amsterdam, is home to the headquarters of several WCC member churches in the Netherlands - Protestant Church, Remonstrant Church and the Old-Catholic Church in the Netherlands.
“We will continue praying for those who lost loved ones, for the injured, and for all whose hearts are heavy in the Netherlands today,” said Tveit.
