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Conference condemns bombings in Africa by David Skidmore The Archbishop of Canterbury opened yesterday afternoon's plenary session with sobering news of yesterday morning's bombing of the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam,Tanzania.The incidents killed 80 people and injured more than 400 others. Though those responsible for the attacks have not yet been apprehended, Dr Carey said he was sure the Conference would want to condemn their actions ``unreservedly,'' as well as offer its prayers and condolences to the victims and their families. He said he would be sending messages of sympathy on behalf of the conference to the US, Kenyan, and Tanzanian governments. ``We are deeply shocked to hear what happened this morning,'' said Archbishop David Gitari, Primate of Kenya, who spoke after Dr Carey. ``To hear of bombs exploding in places which are familiar to us is very shocking indeed.'' Archbishop Gitari said he and his fellow Kenyan bishops were worried that friends and associates were among the dead. But, he added, it ultimately does not matter how many were Kenyans, Tanzanians or Americans. Killing of this sort is ``a terrible sin.'' Violence is not the way to resolve political differences, he said. ``We believe that we are created in the image of God and the destruction of innocent people is not the right way.'' Bishop Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, echoed the concerns of Dr Carey and Archbishop Gitari, offering his prayers and ``deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of this unspeakable tragedy.'' The bishops prayed and observed a moment of silence for the victims. Back to front page of this issue |
