by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Christian churches in Germany are mourning with the loved ones of those who lost their lives or suffered injuries during the terrorist attack on a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.
The attack was carried out by 50-year-old Saudi refugee Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, who was taken into custody after driving a car into a crowd of people at the market on December 20. The motive for the murderous assault has not been clarified. Media reports have noted Taleb expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party whom he praised for fighting the same enemy as him “to protect Germany.” In any event, it is believed he acted alone.
Meanwhile, Christian communities have expressed their condolences and shock at the attack, offering emergency chaplain services and standing with the mourning families through vigils. The Magdeburg Cathedral was opened to anyone needing comfort or to express their condolences in silence and with candles, CDI reports.
Amid the outpouring of condolences offered by Christian leaders, the evangelical Idea magazine quoted the regional bishop of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM), Friedrich Kramer (Magdeburg): “We are horrified by the terrible events at the Magdeburg Christmas market. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Expressing their shock and grief, the chairwoman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, and the chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, said their churches are in mourning, feeling “horror, grief, and sympathy,” and praying for those affected.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest Stories from Worthy News
China on Monday warned it will retaliate against countries that align with the U.S. in ways that harm Beijing’s interests, as the escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies increasingly entangles other nations. Beijing specifically cautioned against trade agreements with Washington that come at China’s expense, vowing countermeasures in response.
The United States will reduce its military presence in Syria to fewer than 1,000 troops in the coming months, Pentagon officials said Friday, as it consolidates forces to reflect the evolving mission to defeat ISIS.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law the ratification of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Iran, solidifying long-term military and diplomatic ties between the two allies, according to Russian state media.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a devout Catholic and the last known foreign leader to have met Pope Francis before his death, has expressed sadness about the pontiff’s passing at the age of 88.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican confirmed Monday.