Please see below extracts from the text of a letter sent today by Archbishop Eamon Martin to Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, in which Archbishop Martin offers his prayers and expresses his sympathies to the people of Barcelona following the attacks of yesterday.
In his letter Archbishop Martin said that, “As well as asking for prayers for the deceased, I have also prayed for the bereaved and injured and those who are assisting in the caring for them.”
The letter highlighted that, “These indiscriminate and callous attacks have left devastation in their wake. The loss of life and the injuries that have been suffered will leave deep marks in many peoples’ lives. Various cities in our continent have experienced too many of these atrocities in the recent past, something which undermines confidence and trust in our society. Our fostering of the bonds of compassion, justice and solidarity in the service of the common good becomes ever more necessary.”
Archbishop Martin continued, “I am particularly mindful of the work of clergy and pastoral workers who are ministering to offer assistance in very difficult circumstances. The work of security and healthcare personnel is especially precious in times like this.”
ENDS
· Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
