Letter Says We Must Address Terror with Love

TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - In light of this month's horrific acts of terror in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad, the Moderator of The United Church of Canada, the Right. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, has issued a letter to the church saying that "resistance rooted in love is our best hope for defeating terrorism."

Cantwell also notes that refusing to become mired in fear and hate requires both courage and discipline.

"Recent events have clearly demonstrated that we are all vulnerable to terrorist attacks. People in all parts of the world and of every faith are being targeted. When terror strikes close to home, we may be tempted to project our fear onto our neighbours, to make enemies of those who dress, or act, or pray differently from us. At times like this we must hold firm to our faith in the power of love to overcome evil. Hostility and mistrust only feed the fear that leads to more violence. We must choose to stand in solidarity with our neighbours—near and far—of every faith and every background, united with all people of good will, to resist the hatred and division that terrorism attempts to spread."

The full text of the Moderator's letter is available on The United Church of Canada's website, www.united-church.ca .

SOURCE United Church of Canada

Mary-Frances Denis, The United Church of Canada, 416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (work), 416-400-7273 (cell), [email protected]