We the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, strongly condemn the terrorist attacks on three Churches (St Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo and Zion Church in Batticaloa) and three hotels in Sri Lanka, where close to three hundred women, men, and children died and hundreds more injured. A total of eight explosions took place in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
We are grievously saddened by the horrific acts of violence brought on innocent people and worshippers at Easter Sunday services. The Churches in Jerusalem convey their deepest condolences to the communities, families, and friends of those who have lost their lives and have been injured and affected by these evil deeds. We stand in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as a whole, especially those who are directly affected by these terrorist acts.
May the risen Lord bring his peace, healing, and hope to the people of Sri Lanka and bring an end to violence and bloodshed throughout the world.
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
+Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
+Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate
+Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator, Latin Patriarchate
+Fr. Francesco Patton, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land
+Archbishop Anba Antonious, Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem
+Archbishop Gabriel Daho, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate
+Archbishop Aba Embakob, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate
+Archbishop Yaser AL-Ayash, Greek-Melkite-Catholic Patriarchate
+Archbishop Mosa El-Hage, Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate
+Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
+Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
+Bishop Pierre Malki, Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
+Most Rev. Krikor-Okosdinos Coussa, Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
