News

London terrorist attack: a statement from ACTS

July 8, 2005

"As representatives of church communities across Scotland we would like to express our support to the people of London in the wake of yesterday’s terrorist attacks. Our deepest sympathy is extended to those who have lost loved ones or suffered injury and trauma and our prayer is that all people may experience God’s peace at this time.

"We condemn the attacks as strongly as possible. Although the attacks have not physically taken place within Scotland, they are an attack on the freedoms which are precious to all people in a democratic society. The timing of the attacks, to coincide with the G8 summit being held in Scotland, reminds us that communities throughout the world are not isolated but that we are all intimately connected through our common humanity.

"We affirm with Muslim leaders in these islands that these attacks, possibly perpetrated from an extreme branch of a particular faith community, in no way represent the practice and beliefs of the Moslem community of Scotland which has been swift to disassociate itself from them. They remind us rather of the privilege of building bridges of friendship and solidarity between the faith communities of Scotland.

"As people in London begin to return their everyday living we hope that they will find churches and other faith communities places of support, compassion and encouragement, and as the G8 leaders continue to meet in Gleneagles we hope they will be renewed in their commitment to creating a just and peaceful world."