The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has condemned the murder of 49 people earlier this week at Orlando gay nightclub, Pulse.
The Rt Rev Andrew Norton says: “This heinous act that has taken the lives of innocent people and injured many more, and it has been done in the name of a religious and political ideology, which is truly deplorable”.
Rev Norton believes that the shock waves of events like this sweep around the world and are acutely felt within communities in every corner of the globe, including New Zealand.
“We stand together in solidarity with all who have spoken out against this act of religious and political violence. To say nothing feeds an environment in New Zealand and abroad where hate crimes can be perpetuated against innocent people, and we don't want to stand in silence.
“We call for a way of love modelled by the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
“The victims and their families are in our prayers,” says Andrew.
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