Kenyan bishops concerned by "unjustifiable" attacks on churches
Catholic bishops in Kenya say they are disturbed by what they termed “unjustifiable acts of violence” in two simultaneous attacks on churches in north-eastern Kenya on Sunday that left 14 people dead and scores of others injured.
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In a statement signed by Cardinal John Njue, the bishops say they believe the attacks on the Garissa Catholic Cathedral and the Africa Inland Church (AIC) were not part of “a religious war”, but they were disturbed that “unjustifiable acts of violence” were targeted at innocent women and children resulting in loss of lives.
“While reaffirming our belief that this is not a religious war, we are disturbed that the attacks were carried out in Christian churches. We ask all Kenyans to work towards promoting peaceful coexistence and to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies and other authorities to ensure their security is guaranteed,” the bishops said in the statement.
The attacks on the two churches are the latest in a series of violent incidents in the north-eastern town of Garissa in recent months. The bishops called on the Kenyan government and its security agencies to review the security situation in the country and to carry out thorough investigations into the recent violent incidents.
“We send our condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones and pray for a quick recovery for those who are nursing injuries.
"To Bishop Silas Yego of the African Inland Church and Bishop Paul Darmanin, Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Garissa, we send our condolences and assure them of our closeness to them during these difficult moments," the statement added.
The Vatican has led international condemnation of the attacks, describing them as “horrible and very worrying”. Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, said:
“Among terrorist groups, attacks on Christians gathered on Sunday in their place of worship has become a method, believed to be particularly efficient, of spreading hatred and fear. The cowardice of the violence against helpless people gathered peacefully for prayer is unspeakable.”
Catherine Ogolla, our Regional Programme Manager for East Africa, said:
“What extremists of any type want is to divide communities and sow violence, so all people of God must stand together for peace and unity in this time of trouble, sending the message out that the extremists will not succeed: they will not divide the Kenyan nation.
“The Kenyan people need a sustained commitment to peace, democracy and good government, and we cannot allow the weekend’s events to derail that. Most of all, we know that extremism thrives on hopelessness so above all we must continue to work together – with the support of parishes and schools in England and Wales – to offer hope of a brighter future to all the peoples of Kenya.”
