World Council of Churches Reaffirms Opposition to All Forms of Violence

July 7, 2005

Source: World Council of Churches Press Release

http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-39.html

On July 7, 2005 a World Council of Churches Press Release reported, "Expressing solidarity with the victims of today's bomb blasts in London, and total rejection of violent actions, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia sent the following message to the churches and the people of the United Kingdom: "...I convey my condolences to the relatives and friends of those who were killed and express solidarity with the victims of these attacks. We pray to the Lord for peace and hope for all of them and for the inhabitants of London and the United Kingdom, who feel their lives to be in danger after these terrible events. As Christians, we re-affirm our opposition to any form of violence. 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. 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."