04449
October 8, 2004

Stated Clerk issues statement on Egypt bombings

Kirkpatrick calls incidents “horrific acts”

by the Office of the General Assembly

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has issued the following statement in the wake of the bombings of three Egyptian resorts Thursday that killed at least 35 people, many of them vacationing Israelis:

      “The Presbyterian Church (USA) deplores the acts of horrific violence and terror that continue to sacrifice innocent civilian lives. We condemn these horrific acts and offer our sincere condolences to the families of Israeli and Egyptian victims.

      “We pray to God that the spirit of peace may take hold of the hearts of those who choose to know no other way than violence and terror to resolve conflict.

      “We firmly believe that unless all violence and terror cease, the hope for a peaceful Middle East is impossible.”

      For more information, contact Sharon K. Youngs, Communications Coordinator, Office of the General Assembly, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396; phone (888) 728-7228, ext. 5750; email syoungs@ctr.pcusa.org.