Solidarity with the French people hit "again" and with the victims' families. The pain of the Asian churches in a statement by Cardinal Gracias.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis has condemned the "blind violence" that "once again" hit France, expressing "deep sadness" and "spiritual closeness to the French people," solidarity with the families of the victims. He is also praying to God for the gift of peace and harmony.
In a telegram he sent to the bishop of Nice, Msgr. André Marceau, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the Pope "entrusts those who lost their lives to God's mercy and is strongly united in prayer to the suffering of grieving families. He expresses closeness to the injured persons, as well as to all those who contributed to the relief efforts and asks the Lord to strengthen each of them in this trial".
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Indian Bishops' Conference, has also expressed grief and solidarity with the French people in a statement released today. He writes "our hearts are full of pain and mourn the victims of this inhuman attack against innocent people."
"The Church in Asia shares the anguish and pain" and offers "prayers for the victims, the injured, the families and friends of the victims". Stating that "nothing ever justifies so heinous an act" and that "we must never be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good", the Cardinal announced that tomorrow, July 16, feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, he will ask all cloistered monasteries for a special prayer intention for peace and harmony in a world, overshadowed by the ugliness of violence.