With the full support of The Salvation Army, the Canadian Council of Churches has expressed support for Muslims in Quebec City, in the province of Quebec, and across Canada, through a statement included below. This statement comes in the wake of the attacks on le Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, which killed six people and wounded several others.

"On behalf of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, I express my deepest sorrow in hearing about the horrific attack on members of the Muslim community in Quebec City," says Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our Muslim brothers and sisters."

"To the Muslims in Quebec City, our member churches here in Quebec express our renouncement of such violence and we grieve for and with you," says Major Grant Effer, divisional commander, Quebec Division. "May God grant peace and comfort to those who are mourning."

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STATEMENT OF THE CANADIAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

To all Canadians,

It is with great shock and sadness that I have learned of the heinous deadly attack on le Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. While the details of the attack and the motivations of the attackers have yet to fully emerge, we recognize that the Muslim community within Quebec City has been the target of hateful, Islamophobic acts within the recent past.

To our Muslim sisters and brothers in Quebec City, in the province of Quebec, and across Canada, our member churches are with you. We grieve with you. We stand with you.

We recommit ourselves to opposing the hate and prejudice that disfigures our communities and leads to violence both at home and abroad.

Similarly, we recommit ourselves to protecting and advancing the fundamental freedom of conscience and religion for all Canadians: to worship in peace and safety and to live out the demands of our conscience and religion together in community.

May God comfort those who mourn today, and lead us into justice and peace.

Canon Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan
President
The Canadian Council of Churches

30 January 2017

The Canadian Council of Churches is the broadest ecumenical body in Canada, now representing 25 denominations of Anglican, Evangelical, Free Church, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic traditions. Together we represent more than 85% of the Christians in Canada. The Canadian Council of Churches was founded in 1944.

Download the statement in English; in French.

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