ROME – The Sant’Egidio Community has expressed its sorrow for the Catholic Church in the Philippines after an attack on a church during Sunday Mass that killed 20 people and left many more injured.

 A statement from the Community insisted that the condemnation of such acts of violence must be “firm and total.”

 Sant’Egidio took part in negotiations that brought peace in the Mindanao region of the Philippines and has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Church in the country and strive for peace.

 Dialogue and reconciliation must be pursued, the Community urges, inviting Christians to be “courageous, strong in prayer” and to “overcome evil with good.”

pm