Cardinal André Vignt-Trois of ParisOur city of Paris, our country were hit last night with a particular savagery and intensity. After the attacks of January, after the attack in Beirut this week and many others throughout the past months, including Nigeria and other African countries, our country once again knows the pain of grief and must face the barbarism spread by fanatical groups. This morning I pray and I invite the Catholics of Paris to pray for those who were killed yesterday and their families, for the injured and for their loved ones and for those who are working hard to rescue them, for the police subject to a formidable power, for our leaders and our country so that together we may dwell in unity and peace of heart. I ask the parishes of Paris to comply with the safety regulations issued by the public authorities. I ask them to make this day and tomorrow, Sunday, days of mourning and prayer. Sunday at 6:30 pm, I will preside at Mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris for the victims and their families and for our country; the bells of the cathedral will ring at 6:15. KTO Catholic television will broadcast the Mass, allowing all who wish to join it. Faced with the violence of men, may we receive the grace of a firm heart without hatred. That the moderation, temperance and control all have shown so far are confirmed in the weeks and months to come, that nobody indulges in panic or hatred. Ask for the grace to be peacemakers. We must never despair of peace, if one builds justice.
