The Church of Norway
Bishops' Conference Council on Ecumenical and International Relations
12 September 2001 Letter to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Georg Anderson
"Dear Bishop Anderson
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
On behalf of the Church of Norway, we want to express our deep condolences to you, your
church and to the American people after the terrorist attacks yesterday.We have been
shocked by the news from New York and Washington DC. Our thoughts and prayers are
with the American nation, all those who work hard to alleviate the sufferings and with the
thousands of victims and their families. We pray that ELCA will find strength and ways to
provide practical assistance and pastoral counselling to people in great need.
Churches here in Norway have been opened today and will remain so for the days to come to
receive people who spontaneously gather inside to pray, light a candle and meditate. The
bishops are preparing a special prayer for the upcoming Sunday service, and already
tomorrow night a special Prayer service will be led by the Bishop of Oslo in Oslo Cathedral,
with the American congregation in Oslo participating.
We have been encouraged to read that churches and religious communities in USA pray and
plead that any punitive actions taken must not add more innocent people to the death roll.
This will also be our strong concern as we gather to play for the churches and the people of
United States.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen
Yours in Christ
Odd Bondevik, Presiding bishop
Stig Utnem, General Secretary"