Separate military airstrikes on Palm Sunday in Ukraine, Myanmar and Gaza claimed dozens of lives, destroyed a church building and severely damaged a hospital.
A Russian airstrike killed at least 34 people in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy in the deadliest attack of the conflict so far this year.
The Tatmadaw Burmese military bombed the Mindat Baptist Church in Myanmar, totally destroying the building.
An Israeli airstrike on Gaza City partially destroyed the Al-Ashli Hospital, also known as the Ahli Arab Hospital.
The Gaza City hospital was founded by the Anglican Church Missionary Society and currently is owned by the Episcopal Church Diocese of Jerusalem, but it was owned and operated from 1954 until the early 1980s by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Foreign Mission Board.
“On this Palm Sunday, we mourn as Jesus mourned as he entered Jerusalem—weeping as children are dashed to the ground as separate aerial strikes destroy the Mindat Baptist Church in Myanmar, families headed to worship in Sumy, Ukraine, and the further destruction of the Al-Ahli hospital which remains an important Baptist legacy center of care in Gaza City,” Elijah Brown, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, wrote in an April 13 text message.
“As we decry that which brings violence, in resurrection hope we hear again Jesus’ call to live as active peacemakers who believe the wounds of Jesus are deep enough to heal the wounds of this world.”
‘Act of terrorism against the Christian community’
Roy Medley, executive director of the Burma Advocacy Group and general secretary emeritus of the American Baptist Churches USA, called the bombing of Mindat Baptist Church in Myanmar by the Burmese military a “war crime” and “yet another act of terrorism against the Christian community in Burma.”
“Their choice of Palm Sunday—the beginning of the holiest week of the year for Christians—was purposeful and part of their ongoing attempt to destroy the Christian faith in Burma,” Medley said.
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“Our current administration, which prides itself in its defense of religious freedom, needs to speak and act forcefully against the State Administration Council and the Tatmadaw for this war crime.
“We again call for increasing sanctions that stop the flow of funds and materiel that allow them to pursue war against the people of Burma. And we urge that relief funds for the recent earthquake not to be channeled further through the junta.”
‘A faith that bombs cannot destroy’
Merritt Johnston, executive director of BWA Women, said she received a video from a BWA Women leader showing a church service in Sumy, Ukraine, interrupted by a nearby bomb blast and shattering glass.
“We are heartbroken by this violence and continue to pray for just peace,” said Johnston, director of communications for BWA.
“On this Holy Week, when we turn our hearts to the peace we have through Christ’s resurrection, we grieve for those who live daily with the tyranny of violence, even in places that should be sanctuaries.
“We call upon our global Baptist family to stand in prayer with our sisters and brothers who are suffering as they continue to serve their communities with a faith that bombs cannot destroy.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations issued a statement condemning the attack at the beginning of the seasons when Jews observe Passover and Christians celebrate Easter.
“Such actions demonstrate that nothing is sacred for the state that declares itself to be ‘Holy Rus.’ Basic respect for the value of human life is absent, not to mention respect for the holidays of Christianity and Judaism,” the council statement reads.
The statement notes Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians all are observing Easter on the same day this year.
“We, heads of Ukrainian Churches and Religious Organizations, strongly condemn the terrorist attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities and villages and call on the world’s leading nations to take all possible measures to stop Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities to defend itself and protect life,” the council statement reads.
“We call on all people of goodwill to pray for the victory of truth and a just peace for Ukraine.
“Our condolences go to the victims of Russian state terror and we beseech the Almighty for just retribution against the perpetrators of this and all other acts of Russian terror against the people of Ukraine.”
Attack on Gaza hospital condemned
The Episcopal Church Diocese of Jerusalem issued a statement condemning “in the strongest terms” the Israeli military’s missile attacks on the hospital in Gaza City.
“The twin strikes demolished the two-story Genetic Laboratory and damaged the Pharmacy and the Emergency Department buildings,” the statement reads. “It also resulted in other collateral damage to the surrounding buildings, including the church building of St. Philip’s.”
The Israeli military gave the hospital 20 minutes notice, ordering all patients, employees and displaced people to evacuate the hospital premises prior to the bombing, the diocese reported.
“We thank God that there were no injuries or deaths as a result of the bombing. However, one child who previously suffered a head injury tragically died as a result of the rushed evacuation process,” the diocese statement reads.
“The diocese of Jerusalem is appalled at the bombing of the hospital now for the fifth time since the beginning of the war in 2023—and this time on the morning of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.
“We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to intervene to stop all kinds of attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions. We pray and call for the end of this horrific war and the suffering of so many.”
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