Overnight a series of gun and bomb attacks left at least 120 dead in the French capital, and countless more injured. The Conference of European Churches grieves the loss of life and mourns with all those affected by this enormous tragedy. We pray for the victims, their families and friends, and for the men and women who risked their own lives last night in service to others.

In a message of solidarity to the Council of Christian Churches of France, CEC General Secretary Guy Liagre condemned the attacks as a vile aggression against France and an affront to all humanity. “These tragic events impels CEC to strengthen our peacebuilding and reconciliation work,” remarked Liagre. “We must strive to follow the words of the Psalms—depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

The Conference of European Churches urges a peaceful response to the tragedy, both in France and throughout Europe. “We must continue, on the basis of our Christian faith, to uphold our values,” Liagre continued, citing the 2001 Charta Oecumenica. “We work towards a humane, socially conscious Europe, in which human rights and the basic values of peace, justice, freedom, tolerance, participation and solidarity prevail.”

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 114 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 national council of churches and organisations in partnership. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Brussels and Strasbourg.