Dimapur, April 22 (EMN): Church organisations in Nagaland have denounced the recent terror attacks on churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. According to available updates on Monday, the toll is now about 290 people killed, and at least 500 injured.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) issued separate messages on Sunday. The NBCC stated to be deeply anguished on what took place on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka where worshippers and the innocent became victims of terror attacks, the council stated.
“It is beyond human reasoning and understanding that human beings could have such a heart of hatred towards other religious group and the innocents.”
“We may have different faith and religious beliefs but religion and faith have taught us to love and build a loving community. If we hate each other because we don’t belong to one faith and religion how will the world survive and how can we live together if we try to eliminate each other?”
The NBCC stated that the “world needs more love and less of hate in a world filled with hatred and animosity.”
“We need to respect each other rather than instigate insecurity by creating an unstable world. We cannot eliminate other faith and threaten the other community by preserving one’s own religion and community and find peace.”
What took place on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, the NBCC stated, is not only shocking but it has grieved the entire world, especially the Christian community.
“It must have grieved God as well. We cannot repay with hatred what has been committed in deep seated hate. In our search for peace and comfort we can only turn to God.”
“This is to let our brethren in Sri Lanka know that our hearts are deeply troubled and we stand in prayer with you. We share your grief and mourn together with the bereaved families and the community in your darkest moment. In hard time such as this, let us look to God Almighty for comfort and find our strength in him to overcome evil with good.”
The NBCC has requested its members and all the Christians in Nagaland to continue to pray for the bereaved families, the injured and those who are now suffering and are going through a difficult time.
Angami Baptist Church Council
The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) also issued a statement saying that the council was “infuriated” by the bombings that killed at least 290 people in Sri Lankan churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, April 21.
“Choosing the most sacred day for Christians to carry on the coordinated attacks was not just an attack against the Sri Lankan Christians but against all the Christians in general. This is unthinkable evil and no amount of reason can ever justify the action,” the council stated.
The church appealed to all the Christians in Nagaland to pray for the Sri Lankans. “Let us uphold our Christian brothers and sisters that they may remain strong in their faith.”
The ABCC referred to the scriptures: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed . . . persecuted, but not forsaken” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).” May the Christians in Sri Lanka experience the assuring presence of God Almighty at this hour of grief, pain and loss, the council stated.
“Let us pray for God’s healing touch upon all those who are injured, His caring understanding upon the bereaved ones, and that the “wounded” church will triumph over this horrific tragedy by His enabling grace.”
