WCC general secretary shocked by unleashing of violence in his homeland
“Norway has today experienced an unprecedented and horrible level of violence against
innocent people,” said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, a Norwegian Lutheran pastor and General
Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Tveit, who is currently in Norway,
had just left Oslo when he learned of the first attack, the bombing of a government
building that left several injured and seven dead. In a statement, Rev. Tveit
said that “Attacking the core institutions of a democratic society and innocent youth
gathered for a workshop to discuss political issues, leaves me shocked. Being close
to these events, I am deeply saddened, realizing that this has happened in my beloved
country, with its people, its leaders, and its institutions.” “In times like this
the Norwegian people and government need the solidarity of international society and
the prayers of the worldwide church,” he said. “Now we know the reality of so many
others in the world where violence pierces the lives of the innocent.” Tveit has
asked the member churches of the WCC for their prayers and solidarity, saying “we
pray that Norway might be able to stand together as an open, peace-loving country
also in the future.” “Let us all stay together for a world of justice and peace,
without hate and revenge, but with the values of democracy, caring for the dignity
and the human rights of every person,” he said. “We are all created in the image of
God.” Tveit said the worldwide fellowship of the WCC offers its prayers and condolences
to the families who have lost loved ones and are victims of today’s violence, to Norwegian
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and his fellow Norwegians.
Linda Bordoni spoke
to Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and asked for his thoughts and considerations in this
difficult hour...