MECC: Father Bedoyan's Martyrdom: A Sign of Resurrection and Hope in the face of Criminality

Once again, terrorism strikes, targeting innocent people, taking pure lives and injuring unarmed citizens in Qamishli. Once again, the Church pays a high price, as Hovsep Ibrahim Bedoyan, the Pastor of the Armenian Catholic community in the city, and his father, were killed while on their way from Al-Hasakeh to Deir el-Zor to inspect the restoration of the Armenian Catholic Church in the city.

The Middle East Council of Churches condemns this heinous crime, as well as all crimes against innocent people. The Council calls on believers to pray for all the martyrs, to invest in peace and reconciliation initiatives, and to draw inspiration from Father Bedoyan's testimony in order to strengthen the Christian presence as a sign of hope and love in the wounded Middle East.