WORLD PRAYS FOR OMAGH VICTIMS
World prays for Omagh victims
CHURCHES across the world have united to express their sadness and concern over the Omagh tragedy.
Letters and faxes from around the globe have poured into Presbyterian headquarters at Church House in Belfast, as well as other church offices, since the atrocity.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends of those who died "and also pray that God grants speedy recovery to all those who were injured."
The Rev Patrick Ruckenya, secretary general of the Church in Kenya, said: "It is our prayer that the terrorists will be brought to justice for their evil and cowardly act."
The Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches expressed "shock and dismay" and offered prayers for God's consolation and healing.
The conference - which is a fellowship of more than 100 Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and Catholic Churches from across Europe, and the council - added: "That such an unspeakable crime should have been committed, in which so many innocent people have suffered death, injury and bereavement, has appalled people throughout Europe and other parts of the world who have the cause of peace in Northern Ireland in their hearts and in their prayers.
"The Omagh massacre is a challenge to the democratically elected leaders in both islands to root out the sectarianism that has taken a heavy toll during the last three decades.
"While it may be necessary to introduce new laws to deal with criminals bent upon perperpetuating wanton violence, it is at the same time necessary to inculcate values of tolerance and accommodation to break down the walls of hatred and strife.
"...We are aware that those who committed this crime did so out of anger and frustration, realising that their aims and methods have been decisively rejected by the majority of people of Ireland."
The Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland said it was appalled at the suffering caused and the devastation inflicted on so many families in Omagh and elsewhere.
"We want to stand in solidarity with those who have been injured or bereaved, and with the whole community which has been shattered by this outrage," it said.
"We also wish to support those who are determined not to allow this tragedy to deflect them from the pursuit of the peace process in Ireland."
The Presbyterian Church in America said the province was in the prayers of millions of other Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, in every part of the country.
In a letter to the four main Church leaders here, clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick said: "I am very much aware of the extra burden of pastoral care and Christian leadership that each of you and all other Christian people in Northern Ireland must now carry.
"...The work of peace must go on and every temptation to additional violence must be avoided."
The Church of Scotland, including Cardinal Thomas Winning and Moderator the Rt Rev Alan Main, said they prayed it would not
mean that the peace process would be frustrated.
Wilma Frew, moderator of the the United Reformed Church, based in London, said: "It is hard to imagine any cause which could justify scenes like those we have seen coming out of Omagh.
"May God grant his healing in his time and hasten the day when real and lasting peace comes to Northern Ireland."
And the above are only a sample of the messages sent. Others are still coming in.
"We have been overwhelmed," a church spokesman said.
CHURCHES across the world have united to express their sadness and concern over the Omagh tragedy.
Letters and faxes from around the globe have poured into Presbyterian headquarters at Church House in Belfast, as well as other church offices, since the atrocity.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends of those who died "and also pray that God grants speedy recovery to all those who were injured."
The Rev Patrick Ruckenya, secretary general of the Church in Kenya, said: "It is our prayer that the terrorists will be brought to justice for their evil and cowardly act."
The Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches expressed "shock and dismay" and offered prayers for God's consolation and healing.
The conference - which is a fellowship of more than 100 Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and Catholic Churches from across Europe, and the council - added: "That such an unspeakable crime should have been committed, in which so many innocent people have suffered death, injury and bereavement, has appalled people throughout Europe and other parts of the world who have the cause of peace in Northern Ireland in their hearts and in their prayers.
"The Omagh massacre is a challenge to the democratically elected leaders in both islands to root out the sectarianism that has taken a heavy toll during the last three decades.
"While it may be necessary to introduce new laws to deal with criminals bent upon perperpetuating wanton violence, it is at the same time necessary to inculcate values of tolerance and accommodation to break down the walls of hatred and strife.
"...We are aware that those who committed this crime did so out of anger and frustration, realising that their aims and methods have been decisively rejected by the majority of people of Ireland."
The Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland said it was appalled at the suffering caused and the devastation inflicted on so many families in Omagh and elsewhere.
"We want to stand in solidarity with those who have been injured or bereaved, and with the whole community which has been shattered by this outrage," it said.
"We also wish to support those who are determined not to allow this tragedy to deflect them from the pursuit of the peace process in Ireland."
The Presbyterian Church in America said the province was in the prayers of millions of other Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, in every part of the country.
In a letter to the four main Church leaders here, clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick said: "I am very much aware of the extra burden of pastoral care and Christian leadership that each of you and all other Christian people in Northern Ireland must now carry.
"...The work of peace must go on and every temptation to additional violence must be avoided."
The Church of Scotland, including Cardinal Thomas Winning and Moderator the Rt Rev Alan Main, said they prayed it would not
mean that the peace process would be frustrated.
Wilma Frew, moderator of the the United Reformed Church, based in London, said: "It is hard to imagine any cause which could justify scenes like those we have seen coming out of Omagh.
"May God grant his healing in his time and hasten the day when real and lasting peace comes to Northern Ireland."
And the above are only a sample of the messages sent. Others are still coming in.
"We have been overwhelmed," a church spokesman said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0204
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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