EU Bishops send condolences after Barcelona attacks

In a letter to Cardinal Juan José Omella Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, and to Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez Pérez, Archbishop of Valladolid and President of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa and President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, expressed on behalf of the CCEE, “the most heartfelt feelings of condolences” and assured “their prayer for peace and the serenity of all. We entrust the victims to the mercy of God and secure our prayers for the wounded and for the comfort of the heavily affected families.”

The full text follows:

'Again Europe - and we would say the whole of humanity - has been hit by a new terrorist attack that this time sowed horror and death in Barcelona. It is the whole world that again and again witnesses these brutal acts without logic and hope that kill innocent lives. We are not indifferent.

'The Presidency and the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Bishops' Conferences join the Church in Barcelona, its Archbishop and the whole Church in Spain to express the most heartfelt feelings of condolences and assure their prayer for peace and the serenity of all. We entrust the victims to the mercy of God and secure our prayers for the wounded and for the comfort of the heavily affected families.

We are more and more confident in faith, in the bond of love that unites us and in the hope of rediscovering Peace in the Lord. We unanimously condemn these acts of terrorism and plead to Jesus Christ who died and rose for the salvation of humanity and Lord of History, to help the world to find the truth and the peace that only He offers in fullness.

'May the Lord bless and protect the people of Barcelona and especially those who are engaged in the aid and care of the families of the victims.'

Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco
Archbishop of Genoa
President of the CCEE