Vatican denounces 'horrible' Garissa church attacks

The Vatican on Sunday termed twin attacks on two Kenyan churches which killed at least 17 people a "horrible and very worrying" act.

"The bloody attacks in Kenya in the town of Garissa against two churches, including a Catholic cathedral, during Sunday prayers, are a horrible and very worrying fact," spokesman Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio.

He deplored that "among terrorist groups, attacks on Christians gathered on Sunday in their place of worship has become a method, believed to be particularly efficient, of spreading hatred and fear.

"The cowardice of the violence against helpless people gathered peacefully for prayer is unspeakable," he added.

The gun and grenade attacks also led to about 40 people being injured, the Kenyan Red Cross said, adding that several were in serious condition.

Garissa is near the border with restive Somalia.

Kenya has suffered a spate of gun, grenade and bomb attacks since sending troops into southern Somalia last October to target Al Shabaab rebels fighting to overthrow the weak UN-backed government in the Horn of Africa state.