Pope Sends Telegram for Kenya University Massacre

‘Condemns This Act of Senseless Brutality,’ Prays Perpetrators Have a Change of Heart

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“Deeply saddened by the immense and tragic loss of life caused by the recent attack on the Garissa University College, the Holy Father sends assurances of his prayers and spiritual closeness to the families of the victims and to all Kenyans at this painful time.”

This was conveyed in the telegram sent today to Cardinal John Njue, president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf.

The Holy Father also, it added, commends the souls of the deceased to the infinite mercy of Almighty God, and he prays that all who mourn them will be comforted in their loss.

“In union with all people of good will throughout the world, His Holiness condemns this act of senseless brutality and prays for a change of heart among its perpetrators.”

The message concluded, saying the Pontiff “calls upon all those in authority to redouble their efforts to work with all men and women in Kenya to bring an end to such violence and to hasten the dawn of a new era of brotherhood, justice and peace.”

The attack perpetrated by four gunmen from the Islamist militant group al Shabaab at the Garissa Univeristy College Campus in Kenya has claimed at least 147 lives.  According to the country’s Interior Minister, four gunmen of the Somali group with ties to Al Qaeda strapped themselves with explosives and took Christians hostage.

Sources say that when the terrorists asked those on the campus if they were Christians, if they responded yes, they were shot.

The massacre has been widely condemned by the International Community, including the United States, who has offered Kenya help in fighting the terrorist group.

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On ZENIT’s website:

For the full text of Cardinal Parolin’s telegram, go to: 

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-telegram-for-kenya-tragedy

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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