Religious leaders call for unity after attacks on University in Garissa, Kenya

7 April 2015

Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of the Anglican Church in Kenya, has called on global leaders to come together and seek a lasting solution to terrorism, after attacks in Garissa shocked the nation.  

During an Easter church service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, Archbishop Eliud said:

“I call upon the international community because the challenge of terrorism has now assumed global dimension. This is happening in Syria, Nigeria, and in many cities of the world. So we must come together and see this issue as not a Kenyan issue, or an African issue, but a global problem.  We should do our best not to allow those who want to use religion to make us fight each other. I will even wish that all religious groups in the whole world come together to address this issue.”

Bishop Julius Kalu, Bishop of Mombasa diocese, spoke in a Good Friday service at the Anglican Church of Kenya’s Memorial Cathedral and urged leaders to engage constructively and unite Kenyans despite their religious, political or tribal inclinations.

Religious leaders have echoed the call and asked Kenyans to remain united in prayer for the victims of the Garissa attack and their families, and to refuse to be divided by religion. 

In an Easter sermon the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, condemned the attacks, calling those who had died as ‘witnesses and martyrs, who too ‘are caught up in the resurrection’.  

Anglican church goers joined others worldwide in a moment of silence and prayer on 5 April, Easter Sunday, for those who lost their lives in the attack.  Prayers for peace and unity continued for the three days of national mourning that followed in Kenya.

The Anglican Alliance has been in touch with the Anglican Church of Kenya to express its concern, to commit to continuing prayer and to stand in solidarity, offering practical support.

In the picture: Churches joined in prayer across Kenya on Easter Sunday
Picture credit: Open Doors USA

 

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