Several United States Catholic bishops have expressed sorrow over a deadly attack at a Michigan house of worship, which took place just weeks after a mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic church. Source: OSV News.
At least four people were killed when a gunman drove his truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, during a Sunday service, then set the church building on fire while shooting with a semiautomatic rifle into the congregation.
Eight victims remain in hospital, with one in critical condition.
There may be more victims. In a press conference following the attack, Grand Blanc Township police chief William Renye said, “We do believe we will find additional victims once we have that scene secured.”
The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, died in a shootout with police. Investigators believe an accelerant was used in the fire, which gutted the chapel.
Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing, Michigan, in whose diocesan territory the Grand Blanc congregation is located, assured the LDS congregation of his prayers and “assuring those who mourn, and those who are injured” of his “solace and support.”
“Any place of worship should be a sanctuary of peace,” Bishop Boyea said yesterday. “The violation of such a haven, especially upon a Sunday morning, makes yesterday’s act of mass violence even more shocking. I commend the first responders for heroically assisting at the scene and for working to safeguard other local places of worship.”
S. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda said the Catholic and LDS communities now share a common sorrow.
“Just last month, the regional leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended their sincere condolences and prayers to the faithful of this archdiocese in the aftermath of the shooting at Annunciation Church, expressing their closeness to us at that challenging time,” Archbishop Hebda said, referencing the deadly August 27 targeted attack that killed two children and injured 21 others during a school liturgy at a Minneapolis parish.
“I will be promising them our prayers for those who were killed, as well as for those who were injured, their families, and all who were present in that House of Worship.”
FULL STORY
Catholic bishops mourn deadly attack on Latter-day Saints church in Michigan (By Gina Christian, OSV News)
