Response to school shooting: Evil will not have the final word

AS BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON AND A LIFE-LONG CATHOLIC EDUCATOR, I call upon all clergy and faithful of the Diocese to unite in prayer for the victims, families, and entire community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, who now face the unimaginable in the wake of yet another school shooting.

There are no words sufficient to convey the depth of evil behind such a deliberate act of violence against innocent children. Nor can language fully express the sorrow and compassion that fill our hearts at this moment. These young students and their school community were gathered in prayer at Mass, marking the beginning of a new school year 
 —  a time meant for hope, not horror. It is simply unfathomable.

To the grieving families: We hold you close in prayer and love.
To the students, teachers and staff of Annunciation: You are not alone.
To the first responders and medical teams: We thank you for your courage and care.

Once again, the Body of Christ has been pierced. And once again, we are called — as members of that Body — to bind up the wounds, to comfort the afflicted and to stand firm in faith. Evil will not have the final word. The light of Christ will shine through this darkness.

May God, in His infinite mercy, embrace us all with His comfort, love, peace and hope.

Bishop O’Connell also serves as chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Education.