The National Council of Churches grieves the loss of twenty-five lives in the bombing of St. Peter’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday. We join with faith leaders around the world in condemning this horrific act, praying for the surviving victims, and calling for an end to this senseless violence.
We are grateful for the news that Pope Tawadros is safe and pray for his strength during these difficult days. We are also grateful that our Governing Board member, Metropolitan Serapion, is able to be in Egypt to minister to the church there. And yet we are saddened because once again, innocent lives have been lost due to the madness of terrorism.
The Coptic community in Egypt has been witnessing to the peace of Christ since the early days of Christianity. The Coptic Orthodox Church plays an important role in both the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.
We offer our prayers and condolences to those who suffer directly through injury, and for those who have lost loved ones and neighbors. We see what perpetrators of this violence cannot see: that the world is diminished because of these lives that have been lost. We continue to strive for a world in which persons can worship in joy, peace, and security.
See also:
- Statement by United Church of Christ Global Ministries
- Statement by the World Council of Churches