Daniel R. Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, issued the following statement on June 12, 2016, in response to the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida. Adventist leaders and members across Europe would wish to endorse this statement and offer condolences to and prayers for all who have affected by this tragedy:
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is heartbroken as we mourn the loss of innocent lives in the deadliest mass shooting in United States history. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers for the 50 people killed, the 53 wounded, their families, loved ones, and friends. We also pray for the community of Orlando and the heartache and sadness they are experiencing as a result of this tragedy.
“We strongly denounce the hate that led to this mass shooting. This type of senseless violence has no place in this country or in this world. It is appalling that these lives were tragically cut short because of hate. We pray that God’s love will comfort and console the victims’ loved ones whose lives have become a nightmare overnight.
“As Christians, we strongly believe that hate, for anyone, brother, sister, friend or enemy, comes not from God, but from the father of evil himself, the devil. We must condemn all expressions of hate, from speech to deadly violence. All of the women, children, and men in this world, regardless of whether they worship, live, or love like us, are children of God.
“We are assured that, in the end, love will win. We know that one day hate and evil will be no more. Until that day, we will continue to pray that communities in this world can live their lives without fear.”
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13, NIV).
ABOUT SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 18 million members worldwide, which includes more than 1 million members in North America and 263,000 in Europe. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere, adhering to the ideals described by the Bible. Their lives will illustrate both faith in God and the church's commitment to the betterment of all human beings.
