WCC head says violence is no answer to terror
-07/07/05
Christians are called to renounce violence as a response to terror, according to the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, head of the World Council of Churches, which comprises some 347 Christian denominations across 120 countries.
Dr Kobia was responding to the latest bomb outrages in London on 7 July 2005, which are now believed to have resulted in 40 deaths and over 700 casualties.
ìAs Christians, we re-affirm our opposition to any form of violence,î said the WCC general secretary, after he had expressed horror at the atrocities and solidarity with their victims.
Dr Kobia continued: ìThis radical rejection of violence has led the ecumenical movement to promote the Decade to overcome violence: Churches seeking reconciliation and peace (2001 – 2010). Peace is the only way to achieve justice for all.î
Commenting on todayís tragic events, in which four bomb blasts on the transport system caused mayhem in Britainís capital city, Dr Kobia declared: ìWhen, as it seems on this occasion, violence is deliberately targeting civilians and willing to create terror in the population, it could be described as a crime against humanity.î
ìThere is nothing that can justify the killing of innocent people anywhere,î he said.
But the WCC chief stressed that ìThis kind of event is a call to all of us, churches, other religious organizations and the whole of humanity to strengthen our commitment to building a just and peaceful world where all human beings may feel secure and safe in their homes, in their cities and communities.î
Dr Kobia concluded: ìMay ëthe God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our afflictioní (2 Corinthians 1.4) be with all those who suffer at this moment.î
Meanwhile, religious leaders in the East End of London are preparing for the aftermath of the terror attack, believed to be the work of operatives associated with the Al Qaeda global network.
The Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Rev Stephen Oliver, and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, chair of the East London Mosque, spoke together outside the Royal London Hospital today.
They said that the East End, and London as a whole, should remain united in the face of the bombings.
WCC head says violence is no answer to terror
-07/07/05
Christians are called to renounce violence as a response to terror, according to the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, head of the World Council of Churches, which comprises some 347 Christian denominations across 120 countries.
Dr Kobia was responding to the latest bomb outrages in London on 7 July 2005, which are now believed to have resulted in 40 deaths and over 700 casualties.
‘As Christians, we re-affirm our opposition to any form of violence,’ said the WCC general secretary, after he had expressed horror at the atrocities and solidarity with their victims.
Dr Kobia continued: ‘This radical rejection of violence has led the ecumenical movement to promote the Decade to overcome violence: Churches seeking reconciliation and peace (2001 – 2010). Peace is the only way to achieve justice for all.’
Commenting on today’s tragic events, in which four bomb blasts on the transport system caused mayhem in Britain’s capital city, Dr Kobia declared: ‘When, as it seems on this occasion, violence is deliberately targeting civilians and willing to create terror in the population, it could be described as a crime against humanity.’
‘There is nothing that can justify the killing of innocent people anywhere,’ he said.
But the WCC chief stressed that ‘This kind of event is a call to all of us, churches, other religious organizations and the whole of humanity to strengthen our commitment to building a just and peaceful world where all human beings may feel secure and safe in their homes, in their cities and communities.’
Dr Kobia concluded: ‘May ëthe God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction’ (2 Corinthians 1.4) be with all those who suffer at this moment.’
Meanwhile, religious leaders in the East End of London are preparing for the aftermath of the terror attack, believed to be the work of operatives associated with the Al Qaeda global network.
The Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Rev Stephen Oliver, and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, chair of the East London Mosque, spoke together outside the Royal London Hospital today.
They said that the East End, and London as a whole, should remain united in the face of the bombings.