Document
Bishop Friedrich Kramer
Evangelical Church in Central Germany
Bishop Kirsten Fehrs
Chair of the Council, Evangelical Church in Germany
Geneva, 21 December 2024
Dear sister and brother in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
On behalf of the ecumenical fellowship of the World Council of Churches (WCC), we write to express our deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity with the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and all those affected by the tragic events that unfolded on 20 December in Magdeburg.
The heinous act of violence at the Christmas market, which claimed the lives of at least 2 innocent people, including a small child, and injured many others, has left us all in sorrow and mourning.
We unequivocally condemn this senseless attack on innocent civilians. Such an act, targeting a place that symbolizes joy, unity, and peace, is a profound violation of human dignity and the values we hold dear. This tragedy strikes at the very heart of what Christmas represents: a time of hope, love, and the promise of peace to a broken world.
With our member churches worldwide, we pray for the victims and their families, that they may find comfort and strength in the love of Christ and the support of their communities. To the wounded, we pray for healing and restoration. We also uphold your church and the people of Germany in prayer, that they may stand united against hatred and violence, fostering a society rooted in compassion and respect for all.
As members of the ecumenical family, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to peace and justice. Let us, together, reject hatred and violence in all forms and stand firm as instruments of God’s peace in a fractured world.
May the light of Christ shine brightly in this dark hour, bringing hope and resilience to all who suffer. We stand with you in prayer, mourning, and hope.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
WCC general secretary
Bishop Dr Henrich Bedford-Strohm
Moderator, WCC central committee