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A UMNS Report
By Barbara Dunlap-Berg*
4:00 P.M. EDT July 25, 2011
An unidentified woman participates
in a vigil for those slain in Norway.
A web-only photo courtesy of flickr
creative commons/MediActivista.
In response to the bombing and mass-shooting attack in Norway that
killed more than 90 people and injured scores, United Methodist and
other church leaders worldwide called for prayer and solidarity.
Bishop Christian Alsted, who leads the Nordic and Baltic Area, issued a statement.
“Life in Norway that we usually experience safe and secure was
brutally shaken by a violent bomb explosion in the government district
in Oslo on Friday, July 22, and further by an incomprehensible massacre
at a national youth camp run by the Labour party on island Utoya,” he
said.
Police identified the suspect in both attacks as Anders Behring
Breivik, 32. The suspect appears to have written a 1,500-page manifesto
ranting against Muslims and devising meticulous plans to prepare for the
attacks.
“In the past 24 hours,” Alsted wrote, “we have seen pictures and
heard stories of events that we would not have thought could take place
in a peaceful country like Norway. Young people on island Utoya have
been exposed to experiences so horrifying that it will impact them for
life.”
The Kingdom of Norway, about the size of the U.S. state of New
Mexico, is a Nordic constitutional monarchy, with King Harald V as head
of state and Jens Stoltenberg as prime minister. The capital is Oslo.
“This incident affects the whole nation of 4.5 million,” Alsted
continued, “and families across the country grieve their loved ones. In
this national tragedy, the Norwegian people need the support, care and
prayers of the churches.”
‘Comfort and strength in Christ’
He urged congregations and pastors to participate actively in the care and support of affected families and friends.
“Many people will have a need to get together with others to share
their thoughts and emotions in coming to terms with this terrible
experience,” Alsted continued.
“Therefore, we encourage congregations to make our churches available
for conversation, silence and prayer. We have also encouraged our
churches to organize memorial services, preferably ecumenically, to give
people the opportunity to express their grief and despair and to find
comfort and strength in Christ.”
Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, who heads United Methodism’s Germany Area, echoed Alsted’s comments.
“Christians all over Germany are mourning with the families who lost
their loved ones and praying for the people of Norway,” she said. “We
pray the Norwegian people will continue to build up their community on
values like trust and respect.”
She commended Norway’s leaders with encouraging openness and respect
toward one another and discouraging a reaction of hatred and fear.
“Christians are not guided by xenophobia, but by God’s love to all
people,” she said.
“Prayer is the most important gift which all of us as neighbors and friends … can offer to them.”
The Rev. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council
of Churches, a consortium of 37 member communions in the United States, sent a message to the churches of Norway, and to World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, a Norwegian pastor.
‘Offering prayers and support’
"The member communions of the National Council of Churches join
persons of faith and good will all over the world in offering our
prayers and support to the people of Norway," Kinnamon said.
Tveit was in Norway and had just left Oslo when the bombing of a government building left seven dead and several injured.
“Norway has today experienced an unprecedented and horrible level of violence against innocent people,” Tveit said.
He expressed shock over “attacking the core institutions of a
democratic society and innocent youth gathered for a workshop to discuss
political issues.”
Reminding people that all are created in God’s image, Tveit added,
“In times like this, the Norwegian people and government need the
solidarity of the international society and the prayers of the worldwide
church. Now we know the reality of so many others in the world where
violence pierces the lives of the innocent.”
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual (regional) Conference, said, “The
apostle Paul was right when he wrote young Timothy, ‘God didn't give us a
spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving and
self-controlled.’ Once again, we are called to proclaim God's spirit
provides hope in these tragic times.”
Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sent a message of encouragement
to Bishop Helga Haugland Byfuglien of the (Lutheran) Church of Norway.
The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America have a full communion agreement, which means mutual recognition
of each other’s sacraments as well as interchangeability of ordained
clergy.
‘Not ruled by fear’
“With the people of Norway, we lament this tragic violence and renew
our commitment to be peacemakers,” Hanson wrote. Reflecting on the
upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United
States, the bishop spoke of the “comfort and courage” shared by global
neighbors during times of national tragedy.
“As people of faith defined by Christ's death and Resurrection, we
will join with you in God's work of restoration. May the Holy Spirit,
the Comforter, grant you peace.”
Extending condolences to the people of Norway, U.S. President Barack
Obama said the tragedy was a “reminder that the entire international
community has a stake in preventing this type of terror from occurring.”
The first memorial service was at the Central Church United Methodist
Church in Oslo on July 24. United Methodist Bishop Emeritus Øystein
Olsen preached. While the majority of Norwegians belong to the state
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway, there are 47 organized United
Methodist churches, with 98 clergy and more than 12,000 members and
participants.
On July 25, the Norwegian government called for a national moment of
silence, ordering trains halted as part of a nationwide observance to
remember the dead and the injured.
Urging a spirit of reconciliation in Norway and globally, Bishop
Alsted, said, “We … encourage prayer for wisdom and strength for the
Norwegian government and that Norway as a nation will not be ruled by
fear but that we will be able to continue to live in trust and openness
with each other.”
*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., 615-742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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