The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans deplores the actions of the gunman accused of attacking two Mosques during Friday Prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15 March 2019. The actions of this accused man took the lives of fifty Muslims who were at worship and injured several dozen more, some seriously. Many of these Muslim people had moved to New Zealand to escape from terror and violence elsewhere. We do not condone terrorism or bigotry of any sort anywhere.
We do not accept that ISIS represents the majority of Muslims. Most Muslims are peace-loving and seek only to be allowed to meet for prayers and go about their everyday lives in safety. We commend the New Zealand Muslim Community for not seeking revenge.
We commend the people of New Zealand of all faiths and of none in the huge outpouring of love, understanding and support shown to the hurt and grieving Muslim community. We pray that understanding and support for our Muslim brothers and sisters will continue in New Zealand and become the norm throughout the world.
We commend the police and emergency services of Christchurch and New Zealand for their quick reaction to these attacks in caring for the injured and for the prompt arrest of the accused thus preventing further attacks. We join New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern in refusing to speak the name of the man accused of these attacks.
We commend Prime Minister Adern and the Government of New Zealand for reviewing and reforming the Gun Laws of their country. Since the shootings, the Government has announced a ban on all military style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles. Parts used to convert other guns into military style semi-automatics are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.
We pray for this shocked, hurting and bereaved Muslim community, for all others who are shocked and grieving after these attacks and for much-needed support for the New Zealand Muslim community in the months and years to come.
