wfn.org | ABCUSA: ROBERTS RESPONDS TO TERRORISM TRAGEDIES

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST LEADER RESPONDS TO 
TERRORISM TRAGEDIES
 American Baptist Churches USA Interim General 
Secretary Robert H. Roberts has responded to the 
tragedies that have resulted from acts of terrorism in New 
York City, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere this morning.
 He said: 
 "I believe I speak for American Baptists and all 
people of good will when I express my profound grief and 
immeasurable sadness over the tragic events that have 
transpired this morning in New York City, Washington, 
D.C. and other parts of country.  The Bible speaks of 
lamentations, and I deeply and profoundly lament the 
tragedy in our country today.
 "The enormity of these acts of violence is almost 
incomprehensible, and yet it lays bare the reality of how 
desperately some people seek to exact something that is a 
shameful distortion of justice.  
 "We need to pray fervently today for the 
thousands who have suffered the loss or injury of loved 
ones.  We pray for the caregivers, those who even now 
work to save those trapped and those who will need to 
provide ongoing care to those scarred in body and spirit.  
We pray that the hardened hearts of those responsible 
for-and supportive of-such acts be softened and 
reformed by the love that comes only from the God who 
cherishes and models reconciliation.  We pray for swift 
justice, but a justice tempered by appropriate restraint.  
We pray for shalom-God's peace-in our broken world.
 "We pray that as Christians charged with the 
ministry of reconciliation we continue to work-now with 
renewed incentive-for the healing of this world.  We call 
upon American Baptists to look to our Savior Jesus Christ 
as the model for all our thought and action in times of 
trial, and to work in His name toward that healing.
 "May the Spirit of Almighty God take this tragic 
day and set forth in its aftermath the miracle of 
redemption and renewal."

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