Thanks to Deseret News for making us aware of this statement.
Church leaders in the Europe Area Presidency released a statement after a shooting outside a Jewish synagogue in Germany on Wednesday.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible events in Halle,” a statement by Elder Erich W. Kopischke, the first counselor in the Europe Area Presidency, reads.
The shooting occurred during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The shooter attempted to enter a synagogue in Halle, Germany, where around 70 to 80 people were worshipping inside, according to cbsnews.com. After failing to shoot through the door, the gunman shot and killed two people outside the synagogue.
In the statement, Elder Kpischke said, "We pray for those affected, their families and friends, and we wish them much strength. It causes us great concern and dismay when believers in Germany or elsewhere experience attacks, threats, anxiety or insecurity in their day-to-day practice of their faith. With respect to yesterday’s Day of Reconciliation, we especially pray for a future without hatred and violence.”
The statement can be found in German on the Church's newsroom and also in English on the Church's EU Twitter page.
🔴 Statement by Elder Erich W. Kopischke, member of the Europe Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after the events on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Reconciliation, in #Halle. Statement in German: https://t.co/B1M0pxENKA pic.twitter.com/dxY8zyJxWW — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-EU (@CHURCHinEU) October 10, 2019