Lutheran Peace Fellowship mourns the deaths of people killed on Friday, March 15, 2019, during prayer services at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We grieve with our Muslim siblings and recognize the increased fear felt in the aftermath of this act of terror.
The core mission of LPF is to oppose violence, war, and injustice. We live in a world in which tragedy and pain are frequent realities. We lament that hatred, Islamophobia, and white supremacy get in the way of living out the nonviolent teachings of Jesus and the biblical vision of shalom. Bigotry and prejudice far too often prevent us from acknowledging the human dignity we share people from different cultural and religious traditions.
We affirm ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s prayerful call for Lutherans to reach out to our Muslim neighbors, asking how to best offer support and solidarity. We call on congregations and individuals to take specific steps towards creating cultures of peace and attitudes of nonviolence. Pray for all those affected by these attacks. Advocate for policies that prevent gun violence. Build bridges of understanding and empathy across human divisions. Name and call out racism and Islamophobia when you encounter it. Learn from this tragedy. As people of faith, we need to work together with neighbors near and far to prevent more acts of violence like this. May God’s abiding presence comfort all those in pain and fear.
Peace,
The Rev. Paul Bailie, Lutheran Peace Fellowship National Coordinator