“This is an act of the most extraordinary brutality and barbarity,” Justin Welby declared.

Following the terrorist attack Wednesday at the Paris offices of the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:

“This is an act of the most extraordinary brutality and barbarity. This violence is demonic in its attack on the innocent, and cowardly in its denial of the basic human right of freedom of speech. 

“The people of France, a country in which I have lived, which I know and love, will rise courageously above the challenge of this vile attack and continue to demonstrate strength and confidence arising out of their great history.

“Our prayers and thoughts are especially with those who have been killed and injured and their families. I pray also for those involved in pursuing the terrorists.”