In the wake of the church bombings in Surabaya, young people from the LWF member churches in Indonesia came together and lit 1000 candles, as a symbol of their solidarity with those affected, and also to push back terrorism in all forms. The youth pray that peace will prevail in Indonesia. Photo: National Committee of the LWF in Indonesia
LWF National Committee calls for peace and harmony after terrorist attacks
(LWI) - Following terror attacks at three churches and a police station in Surabaya, Indonesia, on Sunday and Monday, the National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Indonesia issued a statement calling for peace and stability in the country.
In the statement the National Committee offers condolences to the victims and prayers for their families. It calls upon the government of Indonesia to investigate the terrorist acts and address their root causes. Furthermore the committee calls Christians in Indonesia to respond to acts of terror in a way that will lead to peace and harmony among the different religious communities in Indonesia. The leaders of the thirteen LWF member churches further commit themselves consolidated efforts to address radicalism.
In a letter to the National Committee, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge said the communion stood in solidarity with the churches and people of Indonesia. He thanked the National Committee for “calling on the government to address terrorism and its roots and to uphold the principles of Pancasila that undergird the Indonesian practice of living together in diversity, and calling on the Christian community in Indonesia to work for peace and harmony for all people through concrete actions.”
He added: “Your steadfastness to be messengers of peace in the face of violence, your resolve not to be derailed by evil but continue doing good is a powerful example of the beauty of our shared faith in the Triune God.”
The LWF National Committee in Indonesia represents the thirteen LWF member churches in Indonesia, which together have more than 6 million members.
