A Russian airstrike on Palm Sunday killed at least 34 people in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy in the deadliest attack of the conflict so far this year.
Merritt Johnston, executive director of Baptist World Alliance Women, said she received a video from a BWA Women leader showing a church service in Sumy interrupted by a bomb blast and shattering glass.
“We are heartbroken by this violence and continue to pray for just peace,” said Johnston, director of communications for BWA.
“On this Holy Week, when we turn our hearts to the peace we have through Christ’s resurrection, we grieve for those who live daily with the tyranny of violence, even in places that should be sanctuaries.
‘Stand in prayer’
“We call upon our global Baptist family to stand in prayer with our sisters and brothers who are suffering as they continue to serve their communities with a faith that bombs cannot destroy.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations issued a statement condemning the attack at the beginning of the seasons when Jews observe Passover and Christians celebrate Easter.
“Such actions demonstrate that nothing is sacred for the state that declares itself to be ‘Holy Rus.’ Basic respect for the value of human life is absent, not to mention respect for the holidays of Christianity and Judaism,” the council statement reads.
The statement notes Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians all are observing Easter on the same day this year.
“We, heads of Ukrainian Churches and Religious Organizations, strongly condemn the terrorist attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities and villages and call on the world’s leading nations to take all possible measures to stop Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities to defend itself and protect life,” the council statement reads.
“We call on all people of goodwill to pray for the victory of truth and a just peace for Ukraine.
“Our condolences go to the victims of Russian state terror and we beseech the Almighty for just retribution against the perpetrators of this and all other acts of Russian terror against the people of Ukraine.”
‘Tragic reminder’
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack “horrifying.”
“The United States extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today’s horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy,” a statement Rubio issued from the U.S. Department of State reads.
“This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his Administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve a just and durable peace.”
The Baptist Standard also has learned about Palm Sunday airstrikes in Gaza and Myanmar. This article will be updated as more complete information is available.
EDITOR’S NOTE —This story was written by Ken Camp and originally published by Texas’ Baptist Standard.
