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Ms Peg Birk, Transitional General Secretary
Ms Kathryn Lohre, President
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
Dear Peg and Kathryn,
Greetings to you in the name of our Triune God
I write to express my sympathy and solidarity with the member churches of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, as well as all people of the United States in the wake of the bombing in Boston on 15 April. This violence in the midst of what was to be a time of celebration and personal accomplishment as many from around the world gathered for a peaceful competition has brought pain and fear to so many across your country. My thoughts and prayers are most particularly with the victims and their families.
In this time when the sanctity of life must be proclaimed most strongly, I offer my personal support to your ongoing advocacy against violence in all its forms. In the name of the God of life all of us must offer such witness as we are called to be agents of justice and peace in a too often wounded world. I am joined by many around the world in prayer for the faith leaders in Boston and elsewhere who will offer comfort and strength to those affected by this senseless act. As the fellowship of churches of the WCC, we pray for all victims of violence and commit ourselves unceasingly to work for peace in every land.
Yours in the risen Christ,
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
WCC general secretary
