Law statement on NY-DC attacks

Statement of His Eminence Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston, concerning yesterday’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., September 11, 2001

With people throughout the nation and worldwide, I am numb with shock and sorrow at the devastating attacks on life and on political and economic centers of our country. We commend to the mercy of god those who have lost their lives in these heinous acts and entrust to His care the injured and the families of all of the victims. This abominable violation of our country’s integrity merits the strongest condemnation by all men and women of good will.

In this tragic hour, in the midst of chaos and suffering, we as a nation must courageously come together and reaffirm that the democratic ideals of justice and peace will not be shaken by terrorist intimidation. We must also join together to support the thousands of families, children, spouses and friends who have lost loved ones in these acts of horror. Our prayers accompany President George W. Bush and those who share with him the responsibility of government as they lead our nation in the wake of these events. We make our prayer for strength and courage confident in God’s presence and assistance at all times.

At this time the source of these acts is unknown. It is of paramount importance that we not contribute to the cycle of violence by singling out particular groups for the blame that may rightly belong to a few.

Earlier today I asked all of the pastors of the Archdiocese of Boston to make our churches available to their local communities as places of prayer, comfort and consolation. Wednesday, September 12, 2001 will be observed as a special day of prayer in the Archdiocese of Boston. At 12:00 noon I will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross-. I have asked that Eucharistic Adoration take place wherever possible in churches throughout the Archdiocese on that day. I am grateful to the priests and people of the Archdiocese and to all in our community who are responding to the needs of the families of the victims.