Cardinal DiNardo A US cardinal has called for prayers for the victims killed and injured in a pair of school shootings in Kentucky and Texas.
After the second shooting in two days, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Christians experience the pain of the family and friends of the victims “as if it were our own”.
“We pray for eternal rest for those who have died. Let us pray, too, for the families, teachers and friends who must now endure the suffering of losing those dearest to them,” the cardinal said.
“We stand in solidarity with the children who face a long road to recover from serious injuries. May they find comfort in a loving community,” he said.
He also called for people to reach out “in compassion to assist the grieving”.
Shooter
Police said a 15-year-old male student was arrested at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, last week after two people died and 18 were injured after a shooter opened fire before classes began.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said the teenager faced murder and attempted murder charges.
The slain victims were a boy and a girl, both 15, state police said. The girl died at the scene and the boy died in hospital.
A day earlier in Texas police arrested a 16-year-old high school student in connection with a shooting that left a 15-year-old girl injured in an incident at a school cafeteria.