"Lutheran parishes in Finland are taking part in the public mourning caused by the terror attacks in the United States last Tuesday 11 September.

In several churches around Finland prayer services are being arranged to remember the victims of the attacks and to pray for those who have lost their relatives and friends. Some churches are keeping their doors open until midnight for people to come and pray. The Cathedral in Helsinki was open through the night on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Local priests and parish workers are available for pastoral counseling.

The central office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has recommended to all local parishes to put out flags at half-mast on Friday, which the EU has announced to be the public day of mourning. In Finnish working places there was a minute of silence on Thursday in order to remember the victims of the attacks and to oppose terrorism.

Archbishop pleads for prayer and peace
Archbishop Jukka Paaxma appealed to local parishes so that in Services next Sunday they would remember in prayers all those people whom the terror attacks have affected. "The best way to promote peace is to fight against injustice and poverty. In this way we can prevent the growth of hatred and terror", said the archbishop. He also expressed his wish that the leaders of the nations would remember their responsibility so that acts of revenge would not be taken.

"We need the common prayer of all the Christians no matter which church or denomination they belong to", said the general, secretary of the Finnish Ecumenical, Council, Rev. Jan Edstrom.

Archbishop Paarrna has sent his condolences to the Finn Church in New York, to the Lutheran bishops in New York and Washington, to the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and to the Council of American Churches.

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