Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are shocked by and condemn the terrorist attacks carried out on Easter Sunday at multiple churches and other locations in Sri Lanka. With broken hearts, we stand in solidarity with the Christian communities of Sri Lanka, and with people in grief and shock around the world.
That this massacre took place during Easter Sunday and targeted Sri Lankan churches adds to our sense of horror and revulsion. As we stated after the recent terrorist attack against worshippers in two mosques in New Zealand, our sacred times and places are where we build deep connections and power – where we come together in our resilience and our vulnerability. We stand in spiritual and moral unity with our Christian friends and neighbors who have been attacked in this cruelest of manners.
At this time, Sri Lankan officials are identifying two local extremist groups, National Thowheeth Jama’ath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim, as the parties behind these attacks which have murdered more than 300 people and injured hundreds more. As with the terrorist attacks in Christchurch and Pittsburgh, we are sickened by the violent impact of religiously, racially or nationalistically motivated hate. Our places of worship of all faiths should be places of refuge, compassion and love. Minority groups in every society should be free to practice their religions and cultures without fear.
At this time we do not have reliable information about ways to offer help to the victims and survivors of these attacks. We encourage members of Reconstructionist communities to look to trusted organizations for information about ways to help in the days ahead.
May all who have died be held in God’s love. May all who mourn be held in God’s infinite compassion and healing light. May all who are wounded be blessed with a speedy healing. And may the One who created us all lead us to be better than this.
