Pope Francis Sends Condolences for Victims of Shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee
On March 27, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a Christian private school in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Seven people were killed, including three young children and three adults from the staff. The perpetrator, who was identified as a 28-year-old white female and a former student of the school, was killed by police officers.
The shooter was identified as Audrey Elizabeth Hale (aka Aidan), a 28-year-old, former student and resident of Nashville, who police say identified as a transgender man (biological female). The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs (daughter of the Pastor) and William Kinney, all 9 years old. The adults were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61; and Katherine Koonce, 60, who was the head of the school.
Pope Francis sent his condolences in a telegram to the bishop of Nashville.
Telegram of the Holy Father, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, for the victims of the shooting in a school in Nashville, U.S.A., 29.03.2023The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the shooting that took place on Monday in a school in Nashville, United States of America, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Bishop Joseph Mark Spalding of Nashville:
Telegram
THE MOST REVEREND
JOSEPH MARK SPALDING
BISHOP OF NASHVILLE
Deeply saddened to learn of the recent shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, his holiness Pope Francis asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his prayers to all affected by this senseless act of violence. He joins the entire community in mourning the children and adults who died and commends them to the loving embrace of the lord Jesus. He likewise invokes the consolation and strength of the holy spirit upon the grieving families and prays that they will be confirmed in their faith in the power of the risen Lord to heal every hurt and to bring good out of unspeakable evil.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/03/29/230329c.html
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