We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Pope Francis prays for victims of German shooting
FREE Catholic Classes
Pope Francis prayed Friday for the victims of a shooting in Germany that killed nine people at two hookah bars.
Pope Francis
Highlights
2/21/2020 (4 years ago)
Published in Europe
Keywords: SHOOTINGS, VATICAN CITY, VATICAN
Vatican City, (CNA) - Pope Francis prayed Friday for the victims of a shooting in Germany that killed nine people at two hookah bars.
The victims of the attack on the night of Feb. 19 were predominantly immigrants in Germany from Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and Bosnia. German authorities said that the suspected gunman posted an online video calling for a genocide of ethnic minorities in Germany before carrying out the attack and then killing himself and his 72-year-old mother.
"Having learned of the terrible act of violence in Hanau, which caused the death of innocent people, the Holy Father Francis was deeply affected," Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote in a telegram Feb. 21.
"In prayer, Pope Francis entrusts the dead to the mercy of God and implores Christ, Lord of life, so that mourners will find consolation and trust, and will be accompanied by the blessing and peace of God," Parolin said.
The Vatican Secretary of State sent the telegram on the pope's behalf to Bishop Michael Gerber of Fulda, who leads the diocese where the shooting took place.
Bishops throughout Germany spoke out in the wake of the attack. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, chairman of the German bishops' conference denounced racism and radical nationalism, saying that these cannot be justified from a Christian perspective.
"The news that a man has killed and injured numerous people in Hanau leaves me stunned. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their relatives. We hope that the injured will recover soon. In this situation, we also think of the people who have to deal with this terrible act in their neighborhood," Marx said.
The German cardinal said that such violence is due to right-wing extremism and violent statements on the internet, which must be opposed.
"As Christians, we believe that all people - regardless of religion, nation, culture or language - are children of God. That is why we stand with everyone together against violence and terror," Cardinal Marx said.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Tribute to Pope Saint John Paul II
-
'You Belong To The Future': Remembering Pope John Paul II's powerful words to the Youth
-
Remembering Saint John Paul's Gospel of Life
-
What is the Difference Between Demons and Ghosts? A Catholic Perspective
-
Mission San Antonio de Padua: Agricultural and Ranching Powerhouse
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- St. John of Capistrano: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- Prayer to St. John Paul II: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- St. Pope John Paul II: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
- Prayer to Holy Michael the Archangel: Prayer of the Day for Monday, October 21, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.