Sánchez and the difference between killing Catholics in Congo and Muslims in New Zealand

Terrorist attacks against religious communities should be similarly condemned by democratic governments, but this is not the case in Spain.

Dozens of Catholics are murdered with machetes by Islamists in the Congo
The difference between killing 148 Christians in Kenya and 50 Muslims in New Zealand

On March 15, 2019, a far-right Australian terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, murdered 51 Muslims in terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, attacks that also left 40 injured. These horrendous crimes were perpetrated with firearms. News of these terrorist acts went around the world and caused great commotion, prompting messages against Islamophobia and condemnation from many countries.

In a message on his Twitter account, the same day as the terrorist attacks, the president of the Spanish government, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, published a resounding message condemning them, stating: "Shocked by the terrible attacks in Christchurch. My condolences and support to the victims, their families and the Government of New Zealand. Our resounding condemnation of the violence and the senselessness of the fanaticisms and extremisms that want to break up our societies."

On the other hand, on the same day as the Christchurch attacks, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement condemning them. The department headed by Socialist José Manuel Albares noted the following:

"The Government of Spain strongly condemns today's terrorist attack against two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which tragically left at least 49 people dead and several injured.

While wishing the injured a speedy recovery, the Government of Spain extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of New Zealand, a close partner in the common fight against extremism and terrorism."

Of course, I think it's very good that Sánchez and his Foreign Minister expressed their condemnation of these terrorist attacks on behalf of Spain. However, when the attacks target Christians, things change. Yesterday, in Counting Stars, you were able to read a report about the machete-killing of 43 Catholics (19 women, 15 men, and 9 children) in Komanza (Congo) by Islamist terrorists. The attack took place on Saturday night when the victims were in the Church of Blessed Anuarita, which was later destroyed.

Unlike what happened in New Zealand, four days later, Pedro Sánchez and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs have still not said anything about this attack. Not a statement, not a message on Twitter. Nothing. It could be argued that the Congo is very far away. It's true. The distance between Madrid and the capital of the Congo is 5,391 kilometers, and that may be why many news stories from that country don't receive the same coverage as news from other countries. However, the distance between Madrid and Christchurch is 19,625 kilometers, and that didn't stop Sánchez and his Foreign Minister from condemning Tarrant's bloody attacks on two mosques that same day.

This isn't the first time we've seen such a disparate approach to terrorist attacks. As you may recall, in February 2024, 50 Christians were beheaded in the Congo in attacks by Islamist terrorists. The news had much less impact than the terrorist attacks against Muslims in Christchurch. Pedro Sánchez and his Foreign Minister said absolutely nothing about these brutal attacks on the Christian community in the Congo.

Of course, that doesn't mean that Sánchez and his government don't care about the deaths of Christians. On July 17, 2025, the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza was damaged by an Israeli attack. It is the only Catholic church in that territory. In this case, what happened was not a terrorist attack: Israel officially regretted the damage to that church in Gaza and opened an investigation into what happened.

Unlike its silence regarding the massacres of Christians in the Congo, on the same day that church was damaged, Pedro Sánchez's government did condemn what it called a "bombing" of that church, which left three people dead. In view of the different reactions, it is logical to ask: Are Sánchez and his government saying nothing about the massacres of Christians in the Congo because they are not attributable to Jews or the State of Israel?

---

Photo: La Moncloa.