Pope Benedict XVI decried a string of bombings that struck central London as "barbaric acts against humanity" and said his prayers were with victims and their families.
The pope said he was offering "fervent prayers" for all those affected by explosions that hit London's subway and bus system early July 7.
In a telegram sent by the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor of Westminster, England, Pope Benedict said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims, families of the injured and "all those who mourn."
The pope invoked "the consolation that only God can give in such circumstances" to all the people of Great Britain. He asked the cardinal "to convey to the families of the injured his spiritual closeness at this time of grief."
The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, said the attack demonstrated the "lucid insanity of terrorists who chose to attack the British capital" just when "the eight most powerful people on the earth" were meeting for the Group of Eight summit of industrialized nations in Scotland.
"Once again defenseless people had to pay the price" with their own blood, it said on the front page of its July 8 edition.
In an interview on Italian television July 7, Cardinal Sodano appealed for an end "to this clash of civilizations."
He called for "a new era for humanity." Muslims, Jews and Christians "are all brothers in the name of the same God, and this hatred must end," he said.
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern condemned the London attacks as "a black mark on society." He was told of the emergency as he was leaving the Vatican after a private audience with Pope Benedict that morning.
"What does this all serve, killing innocent people who are probably on holidays, going shopping?" he told reporters July 7.
Ahern said such drastic and violent measures would not change the decisions made by leaders attending the G-8 summit that opened July 6 at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.
British bishops released statements expressing their sorrow for victims and shock at the rush-hour attacks.
On hearing the news of the terrorist blasts in London, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham, England, said: "My heart goes out to everyone caught up in these outrageous attacks. I offer my prayers for all those who have been killed and my condolences to their families and friends."
Archbishop Nichols, who served as an auxiliary bishop of London from 1992 to 2000, also offered prayers for the injured.
"For many years, (as) a bishop in North London, I, too, traveled every day on these tubes and share the deep sense of shock and revulsion of what has happened. May God give strength, determination and consolation to all of us at this time," he said.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said he cut short a trip to Rome to return to London, where he was to celebrate Mass July 8 in Westminster Cathedral for victims of the blast and their families.
"I am horrified at the news of this terrible attack on innocent people. I am returning from Rome tonight with a message from Pope Benedict in which he speaks of his deep sadness and his fervent prayers for the victims. I, too, pray for all those who have suffered in this terrible atrocity," said Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, primate of all Ireland, sent a message to Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, offering the "sympathy and support of the entire Catholic community in Ireland at this difficult time."
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said, "Like everyone else, I am deeply shocked at the scenes of violence, panic and confusion unfolding before our eyes today.
"On behalf of my brother bishops and myself I send deepest sympathies to all those affected by these appalling terrorist attacks together with the promise of our thoughts and prayers at this traumatic time," said Cardinal O'Brien, archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.
The statements came after a series of blasts rocked the London transportation system. On July 8, police said more than 50 people had died and more than 700 were injured.
Police said incidents were reported underground near the Liverpool Street station, in the Edgware Road station, between King's Cross and Russell Square, and on a bus in Tavistock Square.
Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds, England, who served as an auxiliary bishop in London in 2001-2002, offered prayers "for all those caught up in this appalling tragedy in London and to the friends and relatives of those who have been killed."
"As someone who worked as a bishop in London, I know of the character and resilience of Londoners. This was an indiscriminate and cowardly act against ordinary people," the bishop said in a statement from Lourdes, France, where he was on a pilgrimage with diocesan residents.
"At a time when the leaders of the world are meeting to plan ways to bring help to those who are less fortunate, it is hard to understand the minds of people who can commit such an outrage. I pray to God that our belief in fairness and justice in this country will overcome such evil," he said.
Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, England, vice president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said he was "stunned and saddened" by the blasts, which came "only 24 hours after London and the country rejoiced" over being awarded the 2012 Olympics.
"May those who have died know the welcome of God into life beyond all terror and pain. May the injured and those who mourn find comfort and healing, and may God sustain the emergency services," he said.
Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of Lancaster, England, called for Catholics to pray and offer acts of penance to help promote peace.
"While we, and so many others, are making great efforts to alleviate the sufferings of so many in the world, and while governments are meeting to come to an agreement on both the protecting and sustaining of human life, it is a source of great sadness and concern that others can so easily destroy what so many are trying to uphold. Our prayers must be for peace, justice and renewed understanding of the gift of life," the bishop said.
Swiss Bishop Amedee Grab of Chur, president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, said he hoped Britain would not seek revenge over the bombings.
"I think we all feel sick and discouraged in the face of the sinister power of evil, but we are also preachers of the good news, the Gospel of Jesus, which asks us always to reaffirm our faith in God's power over all sin and even over death itself," he said.
"London, in particular, has a long and proud tradition of welcoming people of every origin, and in this and other ways is a positive sign in a world where so many are excluded," the bishop added.
Cardinal: 'All of us feel the pain'
On July 7, Cardinal Roger Mahony sent a letter of support and condolence to Cardinal Cormack Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, London. The letter stated:
"Your Eminence, It was with shock and dismay that we all learned the sad news of the explosions in London today, as well as the loss of human life and the many terrible injuries.
"The Catholic Community of Los Angeles extends our prayers, our sympathy, and our support to all of the residents of London and of England on this tragic day in your long history.
"On a day such as this our world shrinks dramatically, and we are all neighbors one to another. We feel deeply the suffering that has been inflicted upon your people and your city, and we are linked to you in solidarity of spirit. When terrorists strike any people in the world, all of us feel the pain.
"I am asking our Catholic People here in Los Angeles to offer special and fervent prayers to sustain all of you during these painful days. May we deepen our common resolve to create a world community without fear, terror, and suffering. People who use terror to promote their own suspect goals cannot prevail." Contributing to this story were Simon Caldwell in London and Kevin Flaherty in Manchester, England.
---CNS |