Blind violence cannot be justified by anything…
This is how Archbishop of Vienna, Austria, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, condemned coordinated attacks last night, Nov. 2, 2020, on synagogues and Jewish centers in the city, in a statement on the website of Austria’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference..
In at least six parts of the city center, shooters–the number of whom remains unknown–killed at least three people and wounded at least 15 others.
I express my sorrow and dismay for the terrorist attack in #Vienna, and I pray for the victims and their families. Enough violence! Let us together strengthen peace and fraternity. Only love can silence hate.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) November 3, 2020
“Whatever the matrix of the attack in Vienna, it must be clear that blind violence cannot be justified by anything,” Cardinal Schonborn said.
“In these dramatic hours,” he expressed in an interview with Kathpress, “I pray with many others who are following the tragic events in the heart of our city through the media, for the victims, the emergency services and that there will be no more bloodshed.”
Noting he was deeply moved by what he witnessed, he stressed: “The fact that shots were fired directly in front of the city temple of the Israelite religious community reminds me of the bloody attack on the synagogue in 1981. Whatever the background to this time’s attack, it must be clear that blind violence cannot be justified by anything,”
Cardinal Schonborn also condemned the violence and expressed his closeness to those who lost their loved ones on Twitter.
Auf diesen blinden Hass darf Hass keine Antwort sein. Gehen wir weiter den Weg der Solidarität, der Gemeinschaft und Rücksichtnahme. Das sind Werte, die Österreich geprägt haben. #PrayforVienna #Wien
— Christoph Schönborn (@KardinalWien) November 3, 2020
