Press Release
“San Diego:
Every attack on a place of worship
is an attack on human freedom”

21 May 2026

The Universal Christian Church of the New Jerusalem expresses her deepest condolences following the attack carried out on 18 May at the Islamic Centre in San Diego, California, by two young gunmen who opened fire on those present, killing a security guard and two staff members before taking their own lives. Claimed in a 74-page manifesto, the attack was explicitly inspired by the 2019 Christchurch massacre and has been classified as a hate crime by US authorities.

While firmly upholding the truth of her faith in Christ as the one true Saviour, the Church states with equal conviction a non-negotiable principle: any attack on a place of worship, whatever the creed venerated, constitutes a direct assault on religious freedom and freedom of thought that are liberties demanded by every human dignity.

The Church unreservedly condemns all forms of religious or racial terrorism, regardless of their origin, and reiterates that freedom of religion – enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – is an inalienable right; for where people cannot pray safely, no other freedom is secure.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God”
(Mt 5:9)