Cardinal Dolan Offers Prayers for Families, Victims of Connecticut School Shooting

 Violence shatterspeace of all
Prays that peacethat passes understanding is with them
All called to workfor peace in homes, streets, world

WASHINGTON—CardinalTimothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops, offered prayers and sympathy for the victims of theshooting in the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut,Dec. 14.

His statementfollows.

The shootingtragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticutwrenches the hearts of all people. The tragedy of innocent peopledying through violence shatters the peace of all.

At this time, wepledge especially our prayerful support to the Diocese of Bridgeportand the community of Newtown as they cope with this almost unbearablesorrow. We pray that the peace that passes understanding be with themas they deal with the injuries they have sustained and with thedeaths of their beautiful children.

Once again we speakagainst the culture of violence infecting our country even as weprepare to welcome the Prince of Peace at Christmas. All of us arecalled to work for peace in our homes, our streets and our world, nowmore than ever.

In the shadow ofthis shooting, may we know that God’s sacrificial love sustains usand may those pained so deeply by this tragedy experience that carein their own hearts.

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Keywords: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, U.S.Conference of catholic Bishops, Sandy Hook School, Newtown, Connecticut, violence, Dioceseof Bridgeport, Prince of Peace, Christmas

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