The Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church says:

“I awoke this morning to hear the news of the atrocious attack in New Zealand, and the appalling number of casualties. Once again we are watching and listening to reports of an atrocity carried out by people who have learned to hate.

“I am joined by many in praying for the injured and bereaved, for the clergy of the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques as they seek to bring comfort to their people.

“On behalf of the Scottish Episcopal Church, I also offer my prayers and support to the Muslim Community in Scotland as the horrors of what has happened in New Zealand begins to sink in.

“We claim to be a civilised society here in Scotland but for that to remain true and for those ideals to grow then we must be prepared stand together when people are attacked. We must be prepared to speak out against those who use words of violence, racism or religious hatred, those who would seek to divide rather than unite our communities.

“I ask every congregation and fellowship to hold our brothers and sisters in the Muslim Community in prayer and to do all we can to ensure that our communities are not torn apart by the bigotry of the few.”