«Deeply saddened by the immense and tragic loss of life caused by the recent attack on the Garissa University College, the Holy Father sends assurances of his prayers and spiritual closeness to the families of the victims and to all Kenyans at this painful time.»
This was conveyed in the telegram sent today to Cardinal John Njue, president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf.
The Holy Father also, it added, commends the souls of the deceased to the infinite mercy of Almighty God, and he prays that all who mourn them will be comforted in their loss.
«In union with all people of good will throughout the world, His Holiness condemns this act of senseless brutality and prays for a change of heart among its perpetrators.»
The message concluded, saying the Pontiff «calls upon all those in authority to redouble their efforts to work with all men and women in Kenya to bring an end to such violence and to hasten the dawn of a new era of brotherhood, justice and peace.»
The attack perpetrated by four gunmen from the Islamist militant group al Shabaab at the Garissa Univeristy College Campus in Kenya has claimed at least 147 lives. According to the country’s Interior Minister, four gunmen of the Somali group with ties to Al Qaeda strapped themselves with explosives and took Christians hostage.
Sources say that when the terrorists asked those on the campus if they were Christians, if they responded yes, they were shot.
The massacre has been widely condemned by the International Community, including the United States, who has offered Kenya help in fighting the terrorist group.
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On ZENIT’s website:
For the full text of Cardinal Parolin’s telegram, go to:
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-telegram-for-kenya-tragedy
