CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Catholic leaders offered prayers and sent words of peace to those affected by the explosions at the Boston Marathon, encouraging the faithful to pray for those involved and for the souls of those who have died.<\/p>\n\tCardinal Sean P. O\u2019Malley of Boston expressed his \u201cdeep sorrow following the senseless acts of violence perpetrated at the Boston Marathon,\u201d offering \u201cprayers and concern\u201d for those who were affected by the explosions, \u201cespecially the loved ones of those who lives were lost and those who were injured, and the injured themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe cardinal said that the city of Boston and all of Massachusetts are \u201cblessed\u201d for the first responders who aided victims. He praised the governor, mayor and police commissioner for \u201cproviding the leadership that will see us through this most difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHe also offered encouragement to the faithful, reminding them that in \u201cthe midst of the darkness of this tragedy we turn to the light of Jesus Christ, the light that was evident in the lives of people who immediately turned to help those in need today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tAt around 2:50 p.m. on April 15, two large explosions shook the center of Boston, near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. According to statements by the Commissioner Edward Davis of the Boston Police Department at an April 16 press conference, there have been over 175 injured, including 17 in critical condition, and three deaths.<\/p>\n
\tU.S. President Barack Obama said the FBI is investigating the bombing \u201cas an act of terrorism,\u201d although the perpetrator and motive are not yet known.<\/p>\n
\tA \u201cdeeply grieved\u201d Pope Francis assured the people of Boston of his \u201csympathy and closeness in prayer,\u201d calling for peace and efforts to \u201ccombat evil with good\u201d through a memo sent via Holy See Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also issued a statement on the event, saying that the \u201ctragic end\u201d of the marathon \u201creminds us all that evil exists and that life is fragile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe deaths and injuries of people gathered for the celebration on Patriots Day in Boston calls on all of us to pray for the souls of those killed, the healing of those injured and the restoration of peace for all of us unsettled by the bombings at a world renowned sporting event,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
\tThe cardinal also offered \u201cspecial prayers\u201d for the Archdiocese of Boston and those working to help the wounded and their families.<\/p>\n
\tHe called for sensible security measures in order to oppose a \u201cgrowing culture of violence in our world and even in our country,\u201d as well as \u201can examination by all of us to see what we can personally do to enhance peace and respect for one another in our world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., also grieved for those who were injured and deceased, saying that the event \u201cstunned us all\u201d and reminding the faithful that \u201cour most powerful tool right now is prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWhile at this time we do not know the cause of these explosions, we know that the answer to the world\u2019s darkness is to open our hearts to the light of Christ,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cOur faith in the Risen Christ in such times of sorrow offers us the confident hope that death shall not have the last word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tSeveral bishops from across the country also voiced prayers and concern on social media outlets soon after news of the bombing broke.<\/p>\n
\tBishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas posted a brief message on Twitter, inviting \u201call the people of Dallas to pray for those who have died and for those injured in the Boston Marathon bombing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with the city of Boston and particularly with the spectators and runners participating at the Boston Marathon today,\u201d said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, who reached out on Facebook to call for prayers and peace for all those impacted by the tragedy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\tAuxiliary Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Indianapolis, who was once a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston, posted a Prayer for Victims of Terrorism on Facebook.<\/p>\n
\tThe prayer calls on God to welcome \u201cthe victims of violence and terrorism\u201d with love, offering comfort to their families and all those who grieve.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cHelp us in our fear and uncertainty,\u201d the prayer said, asking God to \u201cbless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cStrengthen all those who work for peace, (a)nd may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
\n
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Washington D.C., Apr 16, 2013 \/ 11:16 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Catholic leaders offered prayers and sent words of peace to those affected by the explosions at the Boston Marathon, encouraging the faithful to pray for those involved and for the souls of tho…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\n
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