Friday morning, presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) took up the issue of Islamic terrorism as part of his Easter message. He later added to that message following another bombing that targeted Christians.
His original Easter statement was as follows:
“This weekend, Christians of every denomination remember the most transformative event in history—Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection—the ultimate sacrifice that redeemed the whole world.
“The light of Christ brings hope to every corner of the world. This year Heidi and I pray that in the wake of the Brussels attack, as we mourn for the victims who lost their lives in the subway tunnels and airport corridors at the hands of baseless terrorists, we will remember that the light of truth is stronger than the darkness of terror.
“I am reminded of Saint John Paul II’s first return to Poland as Pope. In 1979, upon his arrival, he kissed the tarmac. And the dust that had all but covered the churches ruptured as the bells rang out—one after another. Soon millions of people lined the streets. And when Saint John Paul II addressed the crowds before the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he spoke these immortal words: ‘On how many battlefields has that solider given witness to the rights of man, indelibly inscribed in the inviolable rights of the people, by falling for our freedom and yours!’
“And he asked for the Lord’s blessing upon the land:
“‘Let Your Spirit descend. And renew the face of the earth, the face of this land.’
“That is the redemption message. By His sacrifice we are made new. And as we remember the gift of salvation on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, let us be so bold to ask the same. We face a different enemy than in 1979—but one with the same goal—to snuff out the light of freedom. But we also know that just like Communism in 1980 it can be defeated because good overcomes evil, truth illuminates the world, and freedom breaks the bondage of tyranny.”
As many Americans awoke Sunday morning, they did so to the news that a suicide bombing in Pakistan had targeted an Easter service at a children’s park. Dozens were killed—mostly women and children—and hundreds more were injured.
Cruz then issued the following statement:
“The evil that is radical Islamism struck in Pakistan today—the very day we celebrate the resurrection of the Prince of Peace—in a shocking display of savagery. Once again we are reminded there are no holidays from this enemy, and no one—not commuters going to work in Brussels, not mothers and children celebrating Easter in a park in Lahore—are immune from its wrath. We must redouble our resolve to band with friends and allies to defeat it. Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan.”
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