Churches around the world expressed solidarity with Spanish people

Spain: Four commuter trains were bombed in coordinated attacks during the March 11 morning rush, killing nearly 200 people and injuring more than 1,400, and plunging Spain into three days of mourning in the deadliest terrorist attack in Europe since World War II.

The tragedy has elicited unity among churches all over the world against such terror attacks.

"We reject absolutely this inhuman act of blind violence that feeds only on hate and bitterness," said Joel Cortes Casals, president of the Spanish Evangelical Church as he called for special prayers at Sunday church services.

In a condolence message the Right Rev Carlos López Lozano, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Madrid, conveyed his total support to the families of the victims. “We ask the Lord to be with them in their deep pain and sorrow at the loss of their loved ones.”

Bishop Lozano urged prayers from worldwide churches.
“We ask all members of our Church to pray for the families of those who died and to join the rest of our country in any demonstration of unity against these unspeakable acts of terrorism.” He said.

The World Council of Churches also sent a message of solidarity to the churches and people of Spain.

Signed by the WCC acting general secretary Mr. Georges Lemopoulos, the message expresses "total rejection" of the attacks and "deep solidarity with the victims of the atrocity, their families and all the people of Spain". The message reaffirms the "Christian vocation to oppose any form of violence" and "commitment to seeking peace", and praises the "solidarity and immediate support to the victims by the Spanish people and churches".

Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, Catholic Archbishop of the Spanish capital, who was in Rome when the attacks occurred, asked Madrid's auxiliary bishops to mobilise all the priests to go to the places where the attacks took place and to give spiritual aid to the wounded and the grieving.

"What people most wanted was company," said Father Carlos Padilla of the Schoenstatt Institute. "The mere presence of priests was of help; they saw persons praying for them, accompanying them in silence."

"The sorrow and anguish is so great in such a moment that no word is consoling, but it is consoling to know that there are people there who are listening and mourning with one," he added.

Pope John Paul II expressed his sorrow for the Spaniards from Vatican City. In a condolence message for the people of Spain he said that he felt the affliction and sorrow of the wounded and their families, and that he prayed constantly for them and for the dead, as well as for peace and the end of terrorism in Spain.

At noon on Friday, millions of Spaniards stopped to observe ten minutes of silence in homage to the victims.

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Pictures:

A boy puts a book down in front of candles during a gathering at Santa Eugenia station. Spanish Interior Minister Angel Acebes said that Basque ETA militants remain the prime suspects in the investigation of the Madrid train bombings although police were following up two leads. (AFP/Helios de la Rubia )

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