ELCA presiding bishop letter of support in response to Indonesian bombings

CHICAGO – In response to the recent terror attacks at three churches and a police station in Surabaya, Indonesia, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a letter offering prayers and support to The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) National Committee in Indonesia.

"On behalf of your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I join all of you in the 13 Lutheran churches across Indonesia as you advocate for peace and harmony among all Indonesian people, especially between the different faith communities; as you call on your government to prevent radicalism and acts of terror in Indonesia and beyond; and as you find God's wisdom to guide you," Eaton wrote.

The national committee represents the 13 LWF member churches in Indonesia, which together have more than 6 million members.

The committee has issued a statement calling on the government of Indonesia to investigate the terrorist acts while also addressing the root causes of terrorism in Indonesia. According to the LWF, the statement urges Christians in Indonesia to respond to acts of terror in a way that will lead to peace and harmony among the different religious communities in Indonesia.

Read Bishop Eaton's letter.

 
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribban region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

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