People attend a candlelight vigil Oct. 3 in memory of the victims of a mass shooting along the Las Vegas Strip. Photo: CNS The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed his sorrow at the news of the most lethal mass shooting the US has seen.
A gunman killed over 50 people and hospitalised 400 in an attack on people attending a country western gig in Las Vegas last weekend.
The suspect, Stephen Paddock (64), fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino and killed himself at the scene as police surrounded him.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo said the morning after: “We woke this morning and learned of yet another night filled with unspeakable terror, this time in the city of Las Vegas, and by all accounts, the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.”
“My heart and my prayers, and those of my brother bishops and all the members of the Church, go out to the victims of this tragedy and to the city of Las Vegas,” he said.
The cardinal said that we need to pray and to take care of those who are suffering.
He added: “In the end, the only response is to do good – for no matter what the darkness, it will never overcome the light. May the Lord of all gentleness surround all those who are suffering from this evil, and for those who have been killed we pray, eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”
The weapon used is believed to be an assault rifle, which was fired at the crowd of 22,000 people.
In a telegram to Las Vegas Bishop Joseph Pepe, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said Pope Francis was “deeply saddened to learn of the shooting in Las Vegas” and “sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this senseless tragedy”.