Pope Francis, English Church leaders offer prayers after Manchester Arena attack

24 May 2017

By The Record

Concertgoers react after fleeing Manchester Arena in England where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing on 22 May. At least 22 people, including children, were killed and dozens wounded after an explosion at the concert venue. Authorities said it was Britain’s deadliest case of terrorism since 2005. Photo: CNS/Jon Super.

By Simon Caldwell

Pope Francis decried the ‘barbaric attack’ on concertgoers in Manchester, adding his voice to Catholic leaders dismayed at what British officials said was the deadliest case of terrorism since 2005.

In a telegram sent to English Church officials on Pope Francis’ behalf, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the Pope “was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life” after a suicide bomb killed at least 22 people and injured another 59 at Manchester Arena on May 22. Many concertgoers at the Ariana Grande concert were teenagers, young adults and families.

The Islamic State (ISIS) group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The telegram said, “The Pope expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence as he commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died.

“Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.”

In Britain, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and other Catholic leaders offered prayers for the victims of the attacks and their families.

“My shock and dismay at the horrendous killing of young and innocent people in the Manchester Arena last night is, I know, shared by all people of goodwill,” Cardinal Nichols said in a statement on 23 May, posted on the Westminster Archdiocesan website.

“I know, too, that Catholics and many others will be praying earnestly for those who have been killed, for the bereaved and for grieving loved ones.

“We pray in support of all those working so hard in response to this tragedy – the police and security forces, hospital staff, neighbours and friends and for all the people of Manchester. May God, in his mercy, strengthen and sustain us and keep us firmly united in the face of all evil,” Cardinal Nichols said.

Armed police officers stand next to a barricade outside Manchester Arena in England where US singer Ariana Grande performed on 22 May. At least 22 people, including children, were killed and dozens wounded after an explosion at the concert venue. Authorities said it was Britain’s deadliest case of terrorism since 2005. Photo: CNS/Andrew Yates.

The terrorist attack took place within the Diocese of Salford, which incorporates most of Manchester and much of northwest England.

Bishop John Arnold of Salford offered a lunchtime Mass on 23 May at St Mary’s, a popular city-centre Church close to Manchester Arena.

In a statement the same day, he said, “The citizens of Manchester and the members of the Catholic community are united in condemning the attack on the crowds at the Manchester Arena.

“Such an attack can have no justification. I thank the emergency services for their prompt and speedy response which saved lives.

“We join in prayer for all those who have died and for the injured and their families and all affected by this tragedy. We must all commit ourselves to working together, in every way, to help the victims and their families and to build and strengthen our community solidarity,” Bishop Arnold said.

Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury, whose diocese covers southern parts of Manchester, wrote to his clergy, urging them to pray for the victims and their families.
“Let us also keep in our prayer the police and emergency services, together with all hospital staff and chaplains,” he said in his letter.

“Together with church and religious leaders in Greater Manchester, I ask the prayers of your parishioners for peace and solidarity in all our communities that the hate which inspires such indiscriminate violence may be overcome by that love which faith and prayer inspires in our hearts. I hope the days ahead, overshadowed by this atrocity, will lead us all to such prayer and active charity,” he added.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to Bishop Arnold to assure him of the prayers of Catholics in the United States.

“Words are not enough to convey the deep shock and sadness with which Catholics and all people of goodwill in the United States learned of the horrible attack which took place yesterday at England’s Manchester Arena,” said his letter, released on 23 May in Washington. He mentioned “the unspeakable loss of life, terrible injuries, and untold trauma to families, especially to children.”

“Evil, as dense and dark as it is, never has the last word. As we prepare to celebrate the new dawn of Pentecost again, may the Easter words of the risen Christ, ‘peace be with you,’ settle deep into the hearts of the citizens of your great country,” Cardinal DiNardo wrote.