On Friday, March 15, 2019 there was an armed attack on worshippers at the Noor and Linewood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. As of Monday, March 18, 2019, the death toll had risen to fifty with thirteen people injured in the attack still in critical condition. Pope Francis spoke to the faithful gathered in Rome for the Angelus on Sunday, March 17, 2019. Here are some of his remarks from that occasion:
“In these days, in addition to the pain of wars and conflicts that do not cease to afflict humanity, there have been victims of the horrible attacks against two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. I renew my invitation for prayer and gestures of peace to combat hatred and violence.”
Following the Holy Father’s remarks both he and everyone in the square observed a moment of silence for the victims.
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston and President of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement in response to the mass shooting at the two mosques in New Zealand on Friday, March 15. Here is what he said in his statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the senseless attacks at the Noor and Linewood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand that killed dozens of worshipers and seriously injured many others, including children. The slaughter of innocent Muslim brothers and sisters praying peacefully is being described as a terrorist attack carried out by a self-identified fascist and his accomplices. As the Catholic bishops of New Zealand said, ‘we are particularly horrified that this happened at a place and time of prayer.’
Unfortunately, we Americans are all too familiar with gun violence, which often targets religious communities. However, we must not remain complacent or desensitized to the horror of these tragedies.
I join with my brother bishops in New Zealand in expressing solidarity with the Muslim community and in calling Catholics to join in prayer for the victims of this shooting, their families, and the Muslim community that was directly targeted.
May almighty God change the hearts of those who hate to recognize the inherent dignity of all people and bring consolation to all those affected by this heart-rending loss.”
You may be asking yourself what you could do or should do in the wake of such an awful tragedy. One suggestion that I could make is reach out to any Muslim friends, colleagues, or neighbors with a word and act of solidarity. Cookies, cards, posters, and flowers help. Let’s also be careful not to succumb to the hateful rhetoric so often found these days in social media.
If any among us here think that this tragedy does not concern us, let me quote from Martin Niemöller (1892-1984), a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He is perhaps best remembered from these words delivered after World War Two had ended:
First they came after the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.