Anglican Bishops condemn Pakistan bombings

The Anglican Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have condemned an Easter Sunday suicide bombing in Lahore, Pakistan which killed at least 70 people.

"The targeting of the innocent, in this case Christians celebrating Easter, is the hallmark of terrorism and such cowardice should be condemned," the Archbishops said.

They said people of peace from all faiths should stand in solidarity to condemn the bombing.

Read more:
• Scores killed in bomb blast at a park in Pakistan
A breakaway Pakistani faction of the militant Taliban group has claimed responsibility.

Archbishop of the New Zealand dioceses, the Most Reverend Philip Richardson, said in New Zealand we must work to make sure we never allow for suspicion and distrust between people of different faiths to develop.

"Rather, we must commit ourselves even more strongly to building dialogue across differences. We must continue to build our community based on understanding, justice and peace."

"It is important that fear and terror do not have the last word as at the heart of the Easter message is that good will triumph over evil.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Christian community in Pakistan and particularly with my colleague the head of the Anglican Church in Pakistan Archbishop Samual Azariah who I spent a week with recently. I will be trying to make contact with him."