The Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, expresses sorrow at the violent attack in the Berlin Christopher Street Day festivities, on Saturday, July 24, 2026 (CSD is the German equivalent of Pride.) In a few tragic moments, celebration turned into sorrow, joy into grief.
We lament the loss of life and pray for healing for the survivors, the injured, the bereaved and their loved ones. At the same time we pray that this attack does not incite more violence against immigrants in Germany.
We note the words of Lutheran Bishop Stäblein, of the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg Upper Lusatia (EKBO) speaking in Berlin the day after the attack, “Queer life and queer love are in the heart of this city.” This attack will not extinguish this love and life. We join in prayer for healing and peace with our siblings in Berlin. We cast our anxieties, and the unanswerable “why” into God’s hands. We believe love is stronger than hate. May love infuse Queer communities in Berlin and all the people of Germany at this time.
(A prayer adapted from All Creation Sings)
God whose love is stronger than fear and hate,
We remember before you those who have died and been injured at the Christopher Street Day event in Berlin, Germany. We commend them to your eternal love. Grant healing and wholeness to the survivors who are wounded or traumatized and restore all whose spirits are maimed by such violence. We give you thanks for first responders, for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and all who offer compassionate aid in situations of tragedy. We ask your mercy on the offender. With your grace, transform those who from malice or illness inflict violence on others. Console their families. Give us a voice, your voice, to plead for a society marked by justice and sustained by cooperation among diverse peoples. Train us to resist the lure of brute force, that by your Spirit we may become words and signs of your mercy. Amen.