UPDATED: NCC and interfaith partners’ statements on death of Ambassador Stevens and other U.S. embassy personnel
The following statement about the deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and other U.S. embassy staff in Libya is issued by National Council of Churches President Kathryn Lohre, and Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, NCC associate general secretary, Interfaith Relations:
Persons of faith and good will everywhere are deeply distressed by reports that U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff were killed in an attack Tuesday on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya.
The attack has been appropriately condemned by both the U.S. and Libya governments. Member communions of the National Council of Churches USA denounce this mindless violence as a travesty and mindless rejection of the historic precepts of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, which are based on God’s love and a peaceful regard for all God’s people.
Our hearts and prayers go out for the families and loved ones of Mr. Stevens and the other victims of the attack. We are sadly aware that this attack took place on the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. We reiterate a statement we made we made then and ask all people to abide by its call: “We assert the vision of community, tolerance, compassion, justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all of our religious traditions.”
In addition to the NCC, click below to read statements and articles issued and posted by interfaith coalitions and partners of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):
- Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s statement
- The Islamic Society of North America’s statement and news article
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STATEMENTS FROM PARTNERS |
I take this opportunity to say that we are concerned and outraged by what is happening in the Arab world against American and western interests. The death of the American ambassador has really touched us deeply.
We will have seven days of prayers related to this situation.
Rev. Georges Ngoka
President and Legal Representative
Church of the Disciples of Christ in Congo (EDCC)
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Our condolences to the American people for the killings of American personnel including the Ambassador in Libya this week. It is an unfortunate tragedy whose full implications could go way beyond our current imaginations. May their souls rest in peace and may God guide all responses by all parties to this tragedy.
God Bless You
Rev. Gideon C. M. Dlamini
General Secretary
Council of Swaziland Churches
Manzini, Swaziland