Mourners gather for a vigil at Mount Maunganui Beach. [Source: 1 NEWS]

The Pacific Conference of Churches is deeply disturbed by the terrorist attacks against members of the Muslim community in Christchurch, New Zealand.

General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan in a statement says the evil was perpetrated on innocent defenceless women, children and men as they marked their holy day, with their Jummah Prayers.

STATEMENT
Christchurch Mosque Attacks Are An Attack on All Communities of Faith

The Pacific Conference of Churches is deeply disturbed by the terrorist attacks against members of the Muslim community in… https://t.co/Uyhlk3Rjjp

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— James Bhagwan (@PadreJB) March 15, 2019

Reverend Bhagwan says it is not just an attack on Muslims but an attack on people of all faith, on the right to worship and live in peace.

He says the PCC stands in solidarity with its Muslim sisters and brothers and condemn the terrible act and those who promote the ideologies of hate and discrimination.

Reverend Bhagwan is calling on member churches and communities of faith to pray for the victims of the attacks and their families, for the Muslim community and for the people of New Zealand as they respond to this tragedy.

He adds as a Pacific member of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), they are calling on all communities of faith to denounce violence and religious and racial intolerance.

Reverend Bhagwan concludes his statement, echoing the words of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement who said, “though we may not think alike, let us love alike.”