Franco-Belgian Church Leaders Condemn Deadly Attack in Strasbourg

By: Pedro Torres, Inter-European Division, and Adventist Review

On the occasion of the recent events that took place on December 11, 2018, in Strasbourg, France, the Seventh-day Adventist Church condemns all forms of violence, and even more so, if possible, those under the pretext of religious intolerance or the imposition of a religion.

Franco-Belgian-Luxembourg Union region president Ruben de Abreu said violence, especially of a religious nature, has no justification.

“The murderous act of violence that took place last night in Strasbourg is execrable, intolerable and, moreover, I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Abreu said. “It would not be right to limit rejection and condemnation to what happened in Strasbourg. We cannot forget what is happening every day in other parts of the world, in the name of the so-called ‘religion,’ which has nothing to do with believers and people of peace.”

Abreu said that the church leaders and members’ solidarity and prayers are with all of the people affected, the victims, and their families. And he added, “We join the families of the victims and those affected by these barbarities in wishing the survivors and the injured a prompt recovery.”

At the same time, Abreu made clear that Adventists sympathize with those who are crying and support those who fight for human rights, freedom, and peace. “The mourning of each family is shared by the Adventist Church family and all those who fight in one way or another for the defense of human rights and freedoms and the security of citizens,” he said.