News
In a recent statement, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has condemned the violence occurring in Syria, expressed solidarity with the victims, and invoked prayers for peace in the country.
“I express my deep pain over the massacre of innocent people and especially children that took place last Sunday in Taldou village, in the area of Houla, near Homs, in Syria,” said Tveit in the statement.
“We, as churches, cannot but condemn this inhumane act and manifest our feelings of solidarity with the families of the victims, mourning their beloved ones,” he added.
In the statement, Tveit expressed grave concern over the cycle of violence which has been continuing for more than a year. In this situation, he stated that “the government of Syria, as all governments, has an obligation to protect its own citizens, and to protect their fundamental human rights and freedoms.”
On behalf of the WCC, Tveit also called on the “international community to fully support the United Nations efforts to bring peace and to put an end to the cycle of violence.” In his message, he also expressed his hope that “peace with justice will prevail soon in the country.”
Read full text of the WCC statement on violence in Syria
WCC Executive Committee sends message to Syrian churches (WCC news release of 20 February 2012)
