Prayers for Christchurch victims

I invite you to pray for all those killed and maimed in body, mind or spirit in the appalling attack in Christchurch. They will be remembered in the prayers of the faithful at St Mary’s this weekend and especially at the 11am Mass on Sunday.

Pope Francis has met several times with leaders in the Islamic community and recently signed a document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. A part of the Holy See’s Press Office statement seems particularly apropos today:

Before humanity, wounded by so many divisions and ideological fanaticism, the Pontiff and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar demonstrate that promoting a culture of encounter is not a utopia, but is the necessary condition for living in peace and leaving for future generations a better world than the one in which we live.

The Holy See has sent a message from the Holy Father to the people of New Zealand:

His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and loss of life caused by the senseless acts of violence at two Mosques in Christchurch, and he assures all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity in the wake of these attacks.
Mindful of the efforts of the security and emergency personnel in this difficult situation, His Holiness prays for the healing of the injured, the consolation of those who grieve the loss of their loved ones, and for all affected by this tragedy.
Commending those who have died to the loving mercy of Almighty God, Pope Francis invokes the divine blessings of comfort and strength upon the nation.