Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

13 September 2001

MEDIA RELEASE

for immediate issue

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has expressed its shock and horror at the recent attacks on the United States. Presbyterians are also being asked to pray for peace at this time.

The Church’s Moderator, Rt Rev Rob Yule has written to the US Embassy in Wellington and the Presbyterian Church in the United States expressing the Church’s shock and sympathy.

“I write, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, to express to your church, and to the people of the United States, our shock and horror at these attacks, so carefully targeted but indiscriminate in their consequences, and to convey our sympathy to the relatives of the victims,” Rev Yule wrote.

Rev Yule has called on all Presbyterians to pray for those affected by the recent terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, “especially for those in the emergency services and those who have lost loved ones.”

Rev Yule’s hope is “that those responsible for these dastardly acts will be identified, found, and brought to justice, and that, in pursuit of this goal, the United States will not forfeit the ideals of a free and civilised democracy.”

Presbyterian Churches around the country have already held a number of special services for those who wish to pray for peace and reflect on the these events. In many cases these are ecumenical events, involving two or more churches. More services are planned, with some services this Sunday being specifically devoted to this

Forthcoming services include:
1. Two services in Central Wellington on Friday 14 September. St John's in the City (cnr Willis and Dixon Streets) at 12:15 p.m. and then at St Peter's Anglican Church (cnr Willis & Ghuznee Streets) at 6 p.m. Contact Rev Dr Graham Redding.
2. Papakura East Presbyterian Church, 85 Settlement Road, Papakura, Auckland. 7pm Sunday 16 September. Contact Rev Geoff New.

ends

Contacts:

Rt Rev Rob Yule, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Office Phone: (06) 357 9411
Home Phone: (06) 356 1886
Mobile: (025) 207 2186

Richard Davis, Communications Advisor, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Office Phone: (04) 3818285
Home Phone: (04) 939 0144
Email: richadd@pcanz.org.nz

Contact Rev Geoff New, Papakura East Presbyterian Church
Phone: (09) 298 8543

Contact: Rev Dr Graham Redding, St Johns in the City, Wellington
Office Phone: (04) 385 1546
Home Phone: (04) 973 1540
Mobile: (025) 441 905

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