Christian leaders offer prayers, condolences after Belgium terrorist attacks

Christian leaders have been speaking of their sorrow over Tuesday's triple bombing attack on Belgium.

Two bombs went off at Brussels' Zaventum airport at 08:00 local time and another on a metro train at around 09:11, killing at least 34 people.  The airport has been closed and the city has gone into lockdown following the explosions.  ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which come just days after the arrest of Paris terror attack suspect Salah Abdeslam in Brussels.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel described the attacks as a "black moment" for his country while French President Francois Hollande responded with a statement in which he spoke of a "global threat which necessitates a global response".

Flags are flying at half mast at the European Commission, close to where the explosion occurred on the metro train.

Christian leaders have shared in the horror over this latest terrorist attack to hit the European continent.  The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was among those offering condolences on Twitter.

"Deeply shocked by cruel attacks in Brussels. This Holy Week let us pray for the victims, for peace and for true service to our loving God," he tweeted.

Other Christian leaders have expressed their solidarity with the people of Belgium.

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.