The apostolic administrator of the Vancouver Archdiocese in Canada is calling for prayer after a deadly car-ramming attack in that city amid a Filipino heritage festival. Source: OSV News.
At least 11 people were killed and more than 20 injured after a man drove an Audi SUV into crowds attending the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Sunday.
The street fair, a celebration of Filipino culture, honours the Philippines’ national hero Datu Lapu-Lapu, who in the 1521 Battle of Mactan repelled Spanish troops led by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed in the fighting.
Since 2018, the Philippines’ government has observed Lapu-Lapu Day on April 27 as a national holiday.
Archbishop Michael Miller, who will continue to oversee the archdiocese until the installation of Archbishop Richard W. Smith in May, said in a statement yesterday that he was “deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events that took place yesterday during the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver.
“What should have been a joyful gathering to honour Filipino heritage has been overshadowed by sorrow and shock,” he said.
A 30-year-old suspect is in custody, having been detained by bystanders until police arrested him.
Vancouver Police Interim Chief Steve Rai said the attack is not believed to be an act of terrorism, and that the unnamed suspect was known to “police and healthcare professionals related to mental health.”
He also warned that the casualty count from the Filipino heritage festival could rise.
“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter,” Canada‘s Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
“Those families are now living every family’s nightmare,” he said, adding, “I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you.”
In his statement, Archbishop Miller said: “The Filipino community is a vibrant and faith-filled part of our Archdiocese. In moments like this, your spirit of hope, resilience, and deep trust in God’s providence shines even amid darkness.”
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Vancouver archbishop calls for prayer after deadly attack at Filipino heritage festival (By Gina Christian, OSV News)
