Pope Francis’ Condolences for Victims of Terrorist Attack on Mosque in Québec, Canada

Pope Francis’ Condolences for Victims of Terrorist Attack on Mosque in Québec, Canada

‘The Holy Father once more strongly condemns violence that engenders such suffering, and implores of God the gift of mutual respect and peace’

 The following is the Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s message of condolences for the victims of the terrorist attack that took place late yesterday evening in a mosque in Québec City in Canada. The telegram condemning the shooting which shot six people dead last night at the city’s Quebec Islamic Cultural Center was sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf, to Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism by police.

Upon learning of the attack in Québec in a prayer room of the Islamic Cultural Centre, claiming numerous victims, His Holiness Pope Francis commends to the mercy of God those who lost their lives, and joins in prayer in the suffering of their loved ones. He expresses his deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, and to all those involved in the relief efforts, asking the Lord to bring them comfort and consolation in their ordeal.

The Holy Father once more strongly condemns violence that engenders such suffering, and implores of God the gift of mutual respect and peace. He invokes the comfort of divine blessings upon the families concerned and those affected by this tragedy, and upon all Quebeckers.

Below is a statement released by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the attack in Québec:

“The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has learned with deep sadness and indignation of the brutal attack against Muslim faithful while in prayer in Québec City, in their place of worship.

This meaningless gesture has violated the sanctity of human life, and the respect due to a community in prayer and their place of worship.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue strongly condemns this act of unprecedented violence, and wishes to convey its fullest solidarity with the Muslims of Canada, assuring them of fervent prayers for the victims and their families.”

[Courtesy of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]