HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, issued the following statement today in response to the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis:
“I join with my brother bishops in condemning the senseless violence seen today at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. Archbishop William E. Lori, vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “As a Church, we are following the tragic news from Annunciation School in Minneapolis with heartbreaking sadness. Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children. Let us all beg the Lord for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family.”
“This act of violence hits home for our Catholic Community in a particularly disturbing way because this attack on precious and vulnerable children was in the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, to the faculty and staff of Annunciation, and to all who have been affected by this tragedy. Senseless acts of violence, like this shooting, happen all too frequently in our communities. I call on all people of goodwill to commit to building a society of peace, compassion, and unity, which respects the right of every person to worship without fear.”
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The Diocese of Harrisburg was established on March 3, 1868. It has 88 parishes, 6 missions, 2 communities, 32 Catholic schools, and is home to approximately 201,000 registered Catholics throughout its 15 counties. To learn more about the Diocese and its ministries, visit www.hbgdiocese.org.
