Kenyan Catholic bishops issued a statement condemning Sunday’s attack on two churches in Garissa, near Kenya’s border with Somalia.
The attackers targeted Garissa’s African Inland Church and the Catholic Cathedral, using hand grenades and machine guns.
Seventeen people were killed, including three children and two policemen,Ê and over 60 suffered injuries.
Kenya’s Catholic bishops expressed great concern over the deadly attacks on innocent worshiping Kenyans.
They said the unjustifiable acts of violence created a sense of insecurity among Christians.
Bishop Paul Darmanin of Garissa said the attacks were political, not religious.
Garissa’s Muslim leader Sheikh Abdisalam Sheikh Mohamed said the terrorists are attempting to stir up chaos and hostility among people who co-habit peacefully.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi has condemned Sunday’s coordinated attacks.
He said the attacks were horrible and deeply worrying.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the attacks, calling for the perpetrators of recent terrorist acts in Kenya to be held accountable.