Pastor Gunnar Scholz, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia commented on the violence at the Christmas market in Breitscheidplatz in Berlin on December 19, twelve people were killed and at least 48 injured. Also the church group called "Together for refugees" and the Adventist Welfare condemned the act and expressed sympathy to the victims and their loved ones.
"With horror and grief, we received the news of the attack last night at a Christmas market in Berlin. Today we must face the cruel reality. We suffer with the relatives of the victims and pray for them. We are afraid with the injured, and ask God for strength and wisdom for all who are helping them,” said Pastor Scholz.
"We resolutely disassociate ourselves from those who carry out this terrible act, to hunt people down, people who seek protection in our country” said the church leader. "Instead, we want the word of the Apostle Paul: 'Do not let evil conquer you, but overcome evil with good.' (Romans 12:21). The hope of the coming of God into the world, and Christians celebrating Christmas, this fuels our hope that terror and violence will not have the last word. This hope with not only words but also actions, is the order of the day."
The Groups: "All for refugees" and Adventist-Charity Pastor Michael Götz, the leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church group,"Together for refugees", also condemned "this terrible, senseless and dreadful deed." "We mourn with the people who lost their family members. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all who have been hurt by this attack and struggle for their lives. We thank rescue workers and the police for their professional committment and wish them strength and prudence in their service", said Götz as spokesman from the group.
“Even if desmayed in the midst of evil darkness and devilish hatred, we must accept things in life, even in the middle of the joy of Christmas as celebration of divine light and the gift of life,” said Pastor Lothar Scheel, leader of the SDA charity work in Germany. "But instead of answering hatred with hatred and violence with violence, we will not stop putting up lights to contrast the darkness," said Scheel. "We mourn for the victims and hope for a speedy recovery for the injured. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your relatives. We wish you strength and confidence over all your pain, grief and rage."
Waldfriede Hospital in precautionary alertness
“On December 19, at 8:40 p.m. the Berlin Senate declared a catastrophe warning. As an emergency hospital, the Adventist Waldfriede Hospital also declared emergency,” said Bernd Quoss, board and managing director. At 11:00 p.m. there was another terror warning.
All physicians, nurses, functional staff and other staff were at that point already providing care for the first wounded victims, according to Quoss. A large number of health professionals had volunteered from home if needed, since no one at the time knew the extent of the violence.
Because Waldfriede was not in the immediate vicinity of the attack and the injured patients could be cared by nearby hospitals, Waldfriede did not have to take in patients, reported Quoß.
Events of the Adventist Church in Berlin
On the 21st of December, at 5.30 pm, the Adventist Church of Berlin-Lichtenberg, on Pfarrstraße 132, invited the community to a memorial, prayer and worship service. In the evening the theme was "The bow that is made for battle shall be broken, for he will bring peace to the people" (Zechariah 9:10). On Thursday, December 22, at 7 pm, the Adventist Church of Berlin Spandau, on Tiefwerder Weg 5-7, invites you to a memorial and prayer worship service.
