African Lutheran Churches Condemn Widespread Violence by Armed Groups in the Region

Faith Leaders Urged to Engage Communities in Dialogue for Peace

(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Africa, have strongly condemned the widespread violence by militant groups in the region, and urged concerted global effort in ending the killings and abductions of civilians.

In a press release during the Lutheran Council in Africa (LUCA) meeting, 18-23 May, in the Ghanaian capital, representatives of LWF member churches also called upon faith communities to engage in interfaith dialogue in order to foster the spirit and culture of peaceful co-existence in Africa.

They affirmed that “Lutheran churches in Africa and their ecumenical allies will continue to pray for peace and work for justice in Africa and the whole world.”

Their statement underlined condemnation of all violence irrespective of the perpetrators, citing the Boko Haram group in Nigeria; Al Shabaab and its allies in East Africa; and  Séléka and anti-Balaka militias in the Central African Republic. They urged the groups to desist from using violence as a weapon to air their grievances.

LUCA meetings bring together leaders of the 31 LWF member churches in Africa.

LUCA Press Release