Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Christian knows that there is evil, injustice and forces of darkness in the world, but also believes that Christ has overcome the world, and that we are called, with Christ, to stand against all evil. As Saint Paul exhorts us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Evil appears in terrorism, in declaring others to be unbelievers, in shedding innocent blood, and in every assault on the dignity of the human person, whom God created in His image and likeness.

We gather today with hearts heavy with pain before this tragedy that struck our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, while they were gathered in prayer. We weep for our martyrs, we raise our prayers for the injured, and we surround the families of the victims with our love, solidarity and spiritual closeness.

In these harsh moments, feelings of fear, anger and confusion may crowd within us, but as believers we hold fast to our hope in God, who does not abandon His children in their hour of trial. He is the God who draws near to those who suffer; as Scripture says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). We therefore believe that He is present today with every weeping mother, every broken-hearted father, every wounded person in pain, and every soul burdened by this tragedy.

The attack on our faithful at prayer is an attack on the sanctity of human life, on the right to pray and worship, and on the values that unite people in love and respect. We reject violence in all its forms, and we affirm that evil is not defeated by a greater evil, but by the truth, justice and love that Christ taught us.

Today I wish to address a special word to our young people. You are facing not only the wound of this tragedy, but sometimes also — in the street, at school, at university and on social media — ideas that sow hatred, declare others unbelievers and justify violence. Do not let anyone convince you that God is glorified by humiliating the human person, by fanaticism, or by shedding innocent blood.

Do not be afraid to proclaim your identity and your faith. Do not let anyone make you feel that you are strangers in your own homeland or less than others. You are children of this land and this nation; your roots in it run deep. We, together with your fathers and grandfathers, have contributed to building and serving it, and you will carry this mission forward.

If you hear someone say that God wants death, or excludes anyone, tell them that God wants life. If you hear someone justify killing in the name of religion, tell them that God does not rejoice in innocent blood. And if anyone tries to sow fear in your hearts, remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “Do not be afraid, little flock.”

Hold your heads high, cling to your faith, love your country, and continue studying, working, serving and giving. Do not allow terrorism to win twice: once with bullets, and again by sowing fear in people’s souls. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Be peacemakers, builders of hope, and witnesses of love in a time that needs light more than ever.

As for all of us, we are not called to surrender to fear, but to remain steadfast in faith, unity and hope. We will not let bullets steal our peace, nor let hatred find a place in our hearts. We will remain witnesses of love, messengers of peace and faithful to the mission Christ has entrusted to us. And together with all the people of our homeland, we will continue to build this nation, serve it and sacrifice for it, because we believe that love is stronger than hatred and life is stronger than death.

Let us pray for our martyrs, asking for them mercy and eternal rest in the Kingdom of Heaven; for their families, that the Lord may grant them consolation, strength and faith; for the injured, that they may be healed; and for our nation and the whole world, that peace may prevail and humanity may triumph over all violence and hatred.

O Lord our God, into Your hands we commend our martyrs who departed as victims of violence and hatred. Receive them into the light of Your face and grant them eternal rest in Your Kingdom.

Comfort the grieving families, heal the wounded, and give strength to every broken heart. Be close to those who suffer, and fill our hearts with Your peace, which the world cannot give.

Keep Your Church steadfast in faith, bless our nation and all its people, remove the spirit of violence and hatred from our world, and make us instruments of Your peace and Your light.

O Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us.

May the souls of our martyrs rest in peace, and may Your peace descend upon our hearts, our nation and the whole world. Amen.

+ Bishop Iyad Twal