A Tragic Night in Magdeburg: Inhuman Attack Rocks Germany’s Christmas Market
The festive cheer at Magdeburg’s beloved Christmas Market turned to unspeakable horror on Friday as a car plowed through the crowded streets, killing at least five and injuring over 200. The attacker, whose motive remains a mystery, has been taken into custody. This heinous act has left the nation grappling with grief and shock during what is meant to be a season of peace and joy.
In a joint statement, EKD’s Bishop Kirsten Fehrs and Bishop Georg Bätzing of the German Bishops’ Conference described the attack as “inhumane” and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, offering prayers for the injured and the deceased. “So many innocent people have fallen victim to this senseless violence just before Christmas,” they lamented. Emergency services and chaplains have been working tirelessly to assist those affected, while community leaders have called for unity against extremism.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the city, with Magdeburg Cathedral briefly closing for security reasons before reopening for a vigil on Saturday. A memorial site at St. John’s Church now stands as a somber reminder of the lives lost. Bishop Gerhard Feige poignantly urged society to confront hatred and build a foundation for peaceful coexistence, a message echoing throughout Germany in these heartbreaking days before Christmas.
