In the wake of today’s
horror in Newtown, Connecticut, both the Holy See and the Diocese of
Bridgeport—which includes Newtown—have released statements expressing grief and
shock and offering prayers and condolences to all those affected by the incident.
From the Vatican:
The Holy Father was promptly informed of
the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and he has asked me to
convey his heartfelt grief and the assurance of this closeness in prayer to the
victims and their families, and to all affected by the shocking event. In the
aftermath of this senseless tragedy he asks God, our Father, to console all
those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength
which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling
love.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
Secretary of State
VATICAN
From the diocesan administrator of the Diocese of
Bridgeport, Msgr. Jerald A. Doyle:
On behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport, we
offer our prayers and our collective sense of grief, shock and loss after the
tragic school shootings in Newtown. Msgr. Robert Weiss, Pastor of St. Rose of
Lima Parish in Newtown, and the parish priests and sisters were on the scene
ministering to children and families immediately after the shootings. Other
priests and chaplains have since joined them in ministering to the families at
the school, hospitals and other settings. Representatives from Catholic Charities
counseling services are also working with families and will continue to do so
in the coming days and weeks. The Catholic Charities team will be available to
support teachers and students in area Catholic schools next week. We are all
deeply saddened and shocked by this unthinkable tragedy, and our hearts go out
to the entire Newtown community. Catholics throughout the Diocese are urged to
join us in prayer for the victims and their families.