New Zealand: Bishops commemorate the attacks in Christchurch

Bishops join a letter from representatives of the New Zealand Religions Commission. In their message of solidarity and solidarity on the occasion of the second anniversary of the attack that took place two years ago on March 15 in the mosques of Christchurch, they wanted to remember peaceful coexistence: This is one of the foundations of the country. New Zealand Bishops’ Conference report on their home page.

The letter sent to the Muslim community was signed by the chairperson of the committee, Colin McLeod, who is also director of the Church’s National Center for Religious Studies: “We are grateful for the diversity of deep-seated religious beliefs that have led people to do so embrace each other with mercy, healing and hope.”

Religious beliefs

“While many believe that religious beliefs are the cause of violence, we know from our relationships with other beliefs that the decision to harm others is not based on the divine but on other situations such as selfishness or fear,” they wrote on a letter.

“We pray to our loving God that all forms of violence will stop and that the diversity of beliefs is seen as an opportunity for dialogue through which everyone can be blessed,” the committee chairman concluded.

In two attacks on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch, 51 believers were killed and many more injured when a gunman opened fire at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques.

(Vatican News – MG)