Again, we are horrified by the atrocious act of a hate-filled gunman who opened fire inside a California synagogue during services closing the sacred Passover holiday. As people of faith, we condemn this evil act of violence.
We offer our prayers asking our most merciful and compassionate Father for healing for those who were injured, loving care for the person who was killed and comfort and consolation for their families.
I add my voice today to the words of Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who said, “This attack joins an all too long list of attacks against innocent people, people of all faiths, who only want to gather and to pray. It is a contradiction, a perverting of their teachings to believe that Christianity, Judaism, or Islam would condone such violence. Unfortunately, both in the past and today, too many preach such hatred in the name of God. This cannot be abided; it must end.”
Today we offer prayers for those whose lives have been shattered by this latest senseless act of violence, and for the Jewish community of Poway, California, as we recall the words of Psalm 34, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirit is crushed.”
