Saying he watched “in horror” news reports in the aftermath of a mass shooting during a suburban Fourth of July parade, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago offered prayers for the victims.
Authorities said seven people died — five on the parade route and two later in the hospital — and dozens more were injured when a gunman fired on people lining the parade route.
“What should have been a peaceful celebration of our nation’s founding ended in unspeakable tragedy,” Cardinal Cupich said in a statement released hours after the tragedy by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Pointing to the victims, ages 8-85, Cardinal Cupich said, “Weapons designed to rapidly destroy human bodies have no place in civil society.”
Law enforcement authorities charged Robert E. Crimo III, 21, of suburban Chicago, with seven counts of murder after the shooting. Other charges are pending. The man was apprehended without incident on a busy highway in a nearby suburb after fleeing officers.
Witnesses reported seeing a man with a long gun indiscriminately firing dozens of rounds from a rooftop at parade spectators, Five adults were reported dead along the parade route. Emergency workers took 23 people to hospitals, while others walked into emergency rooms.
“Please join me in praying for the victims and their loved ones, who never imagined a July 4 celebration could become a killing ground,” Cardinal Cupich said.
“May the Lord of mercy embrace in love those who have died, bring healing to the wounded, comfort to their loved ones and courage to all of us, so that we may respond to the tragedy united as God’s children to build a path to safety and peace,” he added.
In a telegram to Cardinal Cupich, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said that Pope Francis was “deeply saddened to learn of the senseless shooting that took place in Highland Park and he asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to all affected by this attack.”
The diplomatic message also noted that the pope was praying for the dead and “healing and consolation to the injured and bereaved.”
The parade shooting incident also prompted Cardinal Cupich to repeat his call “to enact serious, broadly popular gun safety measures.” He credited Congress for passing “significant, yet modest” gun safety measures that President Joe Biden signed into law June 25.
“The right to bear arms does not eclipse the right to life or the right of all Americans to go about their lives free of the fear that they might be shredded by bullets at any moment,” Cardinal Cupich said. “Gun violence is a life issue. We must continue to pray that all our officials, elected and unelected alike, will redouble their commitment to keeping safe the people they have sworn to serve.”
News compiled by CNS
CNS photo/Cheney Orr,Reuters