STRASBOURG, France—Messages expressing shock and condolences in the wake of the attacks on the U.S. on September 11 have poured into the Mennonite World Conference office here from member churches around the world. They pledged prayers for comfort and healing for all the people of the U.S., especially the families of victims of the disaster, for those who minister to them and for government leaders. They acknowledged the horror of the attack and an elevated sense of insecurity in the U.S. and around the world. And they called for peace and reconciliation rather than reprisal, as well as saying no to stereotyping and discriminating against specific religious and social groups.

Most touching were the messages from leaders of churches who have themselves experienced suffering such as those in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Mennonite churches of the GKMI synod in Indonesia, who collected $1,500 for victims of the disaster, wrote that they were "weeping over this act of destruction on the values of humanity." Ethiopian churches kept their doors open around the clock for three days of prayer. Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas wrote from Colombia, "We understand, feel, and share your pain because it is also ours. We are one in the body of Christ."

Words of condolence and prayers for comfort and peace came also from other faith groups like the World Alliance of Reformed Churche. The Mennonite Church in France sent a personal message of sympathy to Americans Eleanor and Larry Miller, of MWC, and Janie and Neal Blough, Mennonite mission workers in France, and their families. The French recalled the help they had received from American Mennonites in the past when they were victims of destruction.

The Peace and Justice Network in Argentina offered prayers for comfort for those suffering from the thousands of deaths due to the attack on the U.S. and also due to the thousands of deaths caused by the economic, military and political interventions of the U.S. and from the expected reprisals.

MWC president Mesach Krisetya and Larry Miller, Executive Secretary, on a pastoral visit to churches in the Congo, sent a letter from there to U.S. church leaders, based on messages they received and the words of people they met. The letter also requested prayer for the suffering Congolese sisters and brothers and churches.

-- Ferne Burkhardt, MWC News Editor

Letter to American Churches (PDF format -- Adobe Acrobat needed)