| March 15, 2004
Your Eminence,
During these days when the nation of Spain, and in particular the
people of the Archdiocese of Madrid, are filled with shock and grief,
I write to express my personal solidarity and to offer the condolences
of the Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We are horrified
and saddened as we continue to receive accounts and images of the
railroad bombings which have taken several hundred innocent lives
and injured many more. This attack on the people of Spain stirs
up among us the pain, anger, and fear that swept the United States
after similar tragedies in recent years.
These same recollections of national suffering also refresh our
memories of the generous support and assistance that were so abundantly
shared with us by other members of the family of nations, including
Spain. As fellow Catholics, we share an even deeper communion in
the Church. We mourn each other’s sufferings and are also
comforted by the hope we share as people gathered by Christ and
in Christ. The Catholics of the Archdiocese of Chicago are praying
for all those who have died, were injured, or are in mourning after
this attack. We also remember the rescue workers, medical personnel,
chaplains and others who are vital instruments of healing and hope.
In a particular way, Your Eminence, I pray for you and your bishops,
priests, deacons and other pastoral workers whose ministry extends
the compassionate presence of Christ. At times like this, people
more than ever need to be reminded that in Christ they are never
alone and that, by His grace, reconciliation and peace are possible
after even the most overwhelmingly evil acts.
Your Eminence, if there are any particular ways that I can assist
you and your people at this time, please do not hesitate to call
upon me. In the meantime, I extend the support of my prayers. May
our unity in time of great suffering increase our determination
to proclaim the sanctity of human life and to bear witness to the
dignity of every person as made in the image and likeness of God.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
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