Rev Ørnulf Steen, General Secretary
Prof. Dr Sister Else-Britt Nielsen, Moderator
Christian Council of Norway
Rådhusgata 1-3 N-0151
Oslo


Dear Mr Steen and Dr Nielsen,


On behalf of the World Council of Churches, we would like to express our deep shock and sadness caused by the terrible attacks on humans, youth, civil servants, Norwegian leadership and the people and society as a whole perpetrated in Oslo and on Utoyea.

At the same time, we wish to express our deepest solidarity with the people, churches, and authorities of Norway. These horrible acts of violence have shaken us and our foundations but, at the same time, have caused us to recommit ourselves to join our forces and values to promote a world free of hatred, violence, racism, discrimination and intolerance.

We ensure you of our total support for continuing to deepen and promote the Christian and moral values that are indispensably part of the common values systems of the Norwegian churches and society and of the ecumenical movement.

We have registered with deep respect the call issued in this very sense by the highest authorities of Norway, as well as the moving public recommitment of the Norwegian people towards these values. We will keep praying for your nation and people and above all for the families of those who were victimized.

May God help Norway and all of us to overcome the wounds and consequences of these acts of terror!


Yours in our common Lord, crucified and risen,

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General Secretary

Rev. Dr Walter Altmann
Moderator, Central Committee