Leaders unite in condemnation of Paris attacks
THE TERROR attacks in Paris have been condemned by leaders all over the world, with President Francois Hollande saying that the attacks were “an act of war”.
The attacks took place at the Stade de France stadium, a concert hall, cafes and restaurants in the north and east areas of the French capital.
In Britain Prime Minister David Cameron has convened an emergency meeting of the Cobra Cabinet committee. He called the attacks “horrifying and sickening” and vowed to help Paris in whatever way he could.
London has been placed on high alert, as the Paris attacks came hours after the reported killing of the Islamic State terrorist known as Jihadi John.
Earlier this morning Islamic State published a video calling on Muslims who are unable to travel to Syria to carry out attacks in France, even urging them to “poison the water and food of the enemies of Allah”.
The Pope has condemned the Paris as unjustifiable, inhumane acts. He said that he was pained and close to all French people.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Tweeted: “Tragic Paris, desperate news of deep tragedy, with heartbreak for so many. We weep with those affected, pray for deliverance and justice.”
He later released a statement where he called the violence ‘a global and generational struggle against an evil cult’.
“Christians are called, like Jesus, to stand with the suffering and broken and to oppose evil and fear with all their strength,” he said
The Church of England directed people to its website where it has prayers for peace, although these were not specific to the Paris attack: http://bit.ly/1SrvUyI
Canon Andrew White, vicar of St George’s Church, Baghdad, condemned the attacks but said that while Lebanon and Paris were front page news, a devastating suicide attack in Baghdad last week that killed 22 people barely got mentioned.
“There are things we can and must do but they are very difficult and unless we bring people together nothing will happen. There are still very senior Iraqi religious leaders who are willing and able to meet but it is very expensive business.
“So often it seems as if it is one step forward, 10 steps back. But we will not give up, we will keep moving forward,” he said.
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, said in a statement that support for, and solidarity with, France shows that there is an inextinguishable mercy, hope and light at the heart of humanity.
“We also pray that the pain, anger and resentment caused by these events do not corrupt good hearts or tear communities apart,” he said.
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Dr John Sentamu released a statement saying: “Our shock and sadness must lead us to pray for all those affected by this evil and senseless violence.
“We must pray earnestly that God will lead us into his paths of peace, resisting evil, and looking for every opportunity to build bridges of friendship and understanding in our communities today.”
In his statement, the Archbishop of Egypt, the Most Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, said: “Wrong has been done, and there is not one person on this world who is not a victim of it.”
The Lancashire Anglican/Muslim forum issued a statement: “We are shaken by the horrific, atrocious and vicious attacks that have taken place in Paris. Our thoughts, feelings and prayers are with the victims’ loved ones.
“We express our solidarity with the families of those affected and with the people of France. We pray that whatever we say and do, in particular in the coming days, takes into consideration peo- ple’s suffering, emotions and sensibilities.
“And we pray that we avoid words and actions which add fuel to the fire lit by people that wish to divide us.”
Associate Chaplain at the Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity in Brussels, Canon Prof Jack McDonald, told The Church of England Newspaper, that “the solution is not to seal ourselves off”.
“It would be very unfortunate to tar the totality of desperate and needy people with the opportunistic aims of a tiny minority,” he said.
Holy Trinity has been offering material sustenance to refugees and continue to urge a ‘generous’ but ‘wise’ response.
Canon McDonald said part of the response involves allowing people doing the necessary work to find the solution and response.
“In our welcome to unfortunate people, part of defending ourselves is to rely on the people whose job it is to screen and analyze and weed out the minority who are undesirable.”
Speaking on the upcoming motion on the migration crisis which is set to be debated at next week’s Synod, Canon McDonald said he isn’t concerned about the detail but it is vital that the issue is discussed, and “an appropriate wise welcome made to those who are desperate and in need.”