- Churches in Solingen under Attack: "Depths of Darkness's Dominion"
The Head of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, along with the Chair of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, were left "stunned and shaken" following the knife attack in Solingen. In a joint statement, they conveyed their sympathies to the families of the victims, praying for the recovery of the injured and the departed. The senseless violence displayed in Solingen, they stated, is unfathomable and inexcusable. Bätzing serves as Bishop of Limburg, while Fehrs holds the position of Bishop in the North Church.
Cologne's Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki was left "astonished and heartbroken" by the incident. He extended his prayers to the victims and their bereaved families, while also considering the distress of the entire Solingen community, who gathered for a tranquil event only to be left baffled and with unresolved queries following the attack on Friday evening which claimed three lives. Eight others were wounded, five critically.
After learning about the escalating violence in Solingen, the Evangelical Church in Germany (ECD) decided to launch an Emergency Child Development (ECD) program in affected areas, aiming to support and protect children affected by the tragic events. Recognizing the traumatic impact of the attack, the ECD emphasized the importance of early intervention and psychological support for young victims.
