The Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) formally adopted a statement joining its voice to all those calling for the release and return of the kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria.

Earlier in the week the Executive Committee joined the #bringbackourgirls movement through social media and has offered prayers throughout the week for them.

Here is the statement in full:

“We are meeting here at a time when the world has been agonizing over the plight of the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls. We join the strong global voice to say: “Bring back our girls.”

“We are shocked and saddened that young people, especially girls, cannot be given the opportunity freely to further their education. We hope and pray that this injustice will be rectified, not only here but globally.

“We believe that the action against these Nigerian girls is reprehensible and repugnant for people of all religions – Christians and Muslims and other people of faith who know the peace for which our religions call.

“We, the Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, support the efforts that are being made to find and free these girls and reunite them with their families.

We have prayed for these girls in our meeting and we shall continue to pray.”

The Executive Committee, the governing board of the WCRC, is holding its annual meeting Hannover, Germany, 11-18 May. It is composed of 30 members from around the world.