August 31, 2007

"Gratitude to God and admiration for those who contributed to their liberation from captivity" was expressed by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a letter of "joy and thanksgiving for the 21 church-related humanitarian workers whose lives have been spared in Afghanistan."

Kobia's letter was addressed to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea Rev. Kwon Oh-sung as the 19 remaining South Korean hostages, freed by the Taliban on Wednesday and Thursday after six weeks in captivity, were leaving Kabul for Dubai on Friday, 31 August.

In his message, Kobia also conveys the assurance of "continued prayer and concern on the part of Christians in every part of the world" to the "families and friends of the two hostages who lost their lives." The WCC general secretary met with relatives of the hostages on his recent visit to South Korea. He had earlier invited the Council's member churches to pray for "a peaceful end" to the crisis and the release of the hostages.

Letter to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Korea is available at: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=4136

World Council of Churches