His Grace Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix extended condolences over the tragic shooting in a school in Belgrade, which killed nine, including eight children and wounded others.
“Such tragic events, which sadden us and, simultaneously, worry us due to their unpredictability, are just as many alarm signals regarding the unconditional love, attention and emotional support that we must give young people,” His Grace emphasised.
“In the context of the spiritual crisis of the contemporary world, in which violence, in its many forms, has reached alarming levels, young people, regardless of their age and skills, need a lot of listening, encouragement, support, and catechism. They need to understand and realise, as much as possible at their young age, that violence is not an answer or a form of solving problems.”
The Romanian bishop of Dacia Felix urged parents, grandparents, professors, priests and every societal category “to help children convert their selfishness and violence into the power of forgiveness and communion with others because it is natural for humans to want good.”
“We pray with great hope to God, Who is love (1 John 4:8) and whose peace overcomes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), to rest with His righteous all those who, far too soon, passed from this life, following the sad event that happened at Vladislav Ribnikar School in Belgrade.”
Bishop Ieronim said he offers prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the unfortunate incident.
“At the same time, we pray for the comfort and strengthening of the bereaved families.”
“Last but not least, we pray to God, who loves and calls young people to Him (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14), to enlighten and make them wise, so that they cultivate, in their activity and their relationship with those around them, the beauty of communion and Christian love that prompts forgiveness and bears fruit in good deeds.”
Photo credit: Basilica.ro Archive
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