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GENEVA, April 21, 2015 /Standard Newswire/ -- In a solidarity letter to Abune Mathias, patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a member church of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary expressed deep shock over the recent killing of more than 20 Ethiopian Christians in Libya by the Islamic State (IS).

"I speak on behalf of the ecumenical family when I say that we are shocked and appalled by the heinous and inhuman violence inflicted on these innocent faithful Ethiopians and that we strongly denounce and condemn any ideology that condones and celebrates murder and torture," said Tveit in the letter issued on 21 April.

"It is in such troubled and challenging times," he continued, "that the gospel imperative of solidarity and ecumenical togetherness with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is more relevant than ever."

"We stand in solidarity with your church during this painful period when you are mourning your faithful children," said Tveit.

The WCC general secretary offered prayers for the victims. He said, "We also pray for healing and strength of their families and loved ones. We also pray for all migrants who take great risks in the hope for a better and more dignified life. May the Almighty protect them in their perilous journey."

Read full text of the WCC general secretary's letter

WCC member churches in Ethiopia

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, by the end of 2013 the WCC had 345 member churches representing more than 500 million Christians from Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other traditions in over 140 countries. The WCC works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway.