Leading European, US prelates lament Brussels attacks

March 23, 2016

Leading European and American prelates have joined Pope Francis and the Belgian bishops in mourning the victims of the March 22 terrorist attacks in Brussels that left over 30 dead.

“In the face of this callous act, I assure the victims of my prayers and express my closeness to their families,” said Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdo, the president of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe. “At this time of anguish, I call on people not to allow themselves to be overcome by fear, and to pray for peace in Europe, in the Middle East and throughout the world.”

Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille, the president of the Bishops’ Conference of France, condemned the attacks and prayed that “we will continue, despite the difficulties, to be builders of bridges and artisans of dialogue.”

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, assured Belgian Archbishop Josef De Kesel of his prayers and support in the face of “this senseless act of violence” and said that “Jesus overcame death to offer us salvation. So too let us respond to hate with love and reject the extremists who would see us abandon our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”

 

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Further information:

• Attacks in Brussels. Sympathy from Cardinal Péter Erdo (CCEE)
• Lettre de Mgr Pontier à Mgr de Kesel (CEF)
• Archbishop Kurtz Sends Prayers And Support To Archbishop Of Mechelen-Brussel (USCCB)
• Cardinal Marx on the Brussels Attacks (COMECE)
• Brussels attacks: Belgian bishops issue statement (Vatican Radio)
• 2016 Brussels bombings (Wikipedia)
• Pontiff, European bishops react to terror attack in Brussels (CWN, 3/22)