BRUSSELS, Belgium, FEB. 15, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Belgium are asking Catholics to keep the victims of a deadly rush-hour train wreck in their prayers.
Two commuter trains collided head-on Monday morning in a suburb of Brussels after one ran a stoplight, leaving at least 18 dead and 95 injured. A third train was also derailed during the collision.
Belgium media reports that some 30 were hospitalized, and 11 were in critical condition.
A message released by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, the retired archbishop of Malines-Brussels, and Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard of Malines-Brussels, assured the victims of the spiritual closeness of the country’s episcopate.
«The serious train accident that struck our country this Monday morning fills us with emotion and sadness,» the note said. «On behalf of the bishops of Belgium, we extend our sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy, and their families.
«We commend to God the souls of the departed and ask God to grant courage and strength to the injured and the grieving.»
