Adventist Leaders: Statement about Killings at Paris Newspaper
From APD, Jan. 9, 2015: Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination sent condolences to the people of France and praised its government for supporting religious freedom after a militant Islamist attack on a satirical magazine killed 12 people in Paris. “On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist world church and its president, allow me to convey to you our deepest sympathy in connection with the terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris,” said Dr. John Graz, director of public affairs for the denomination.
“We join in the pain of victims’ families,” Graz stated. “We pray for them and for those who were seriously injured. We also pray for the beautiful country of France, which we love; and for her people.”
The letter noted that Adventists have long been defenders of freedom of conscience and religion, and underscored that those freedoms were the foundation of all freedoms, including the freedom of expression. “We thank France for these fundamental freedoms and its authorities for the freedom of expression and religion that they protect,” the letter said.
APD is the news service that serves the Adventist denomination in Europe.