Pope Francis has called 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”
Pope Francis has strongly condemned the attack carried out against Kenya’s Garissa University campus by Somali militant group al-Shabab. 147 students died in the attack and many others are wounded or missing. Francis sent a message to the President of the Kenyan Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue expressing his condolences. In the English text, which the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent on behalf of the Pope, Francis said he was “deeply saddened by the immense and tragic loss of life caused by the recent attack on the Garissa University College.”
In the note, Francis “sends assurances of his prayers and spiritual closeness to the families of the victims and to all Kenyans at this painful time. He 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 Pope also “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 against Christians at the Garissa campus was not completely unexpected. The community had received threats, Garissa’s parish priest Fr. Nicolas Mutua says. “I saw it coming as there had been threats,” he told Vatican Radio. There is usually police protection at masses but “I feel tense,” he added.
Garissa’s parish priest says there had been fears that an act such as yesterday’s could take place. “We were told to be careful because they were going to carry out the threats and the expected date was yesterday.” The precautions taken were not enough. “We went to police stations to inform them of the mass schedule because church security is normally provided, offering personal protection during mass. We are usually always protected when there is a mass: we cannot celebrate without personal protection because they arrive when we are at church.”
But now tension has grown: "I feel tense when I work because I never know what may happen. Not only because I am Christian but also because I condemn this act. I know some Muslim Imam friends of mine who have been killed for condemning these terrorist attacks and talking about what was going on but nothing was done about it.” “You cannot kill in the name of God,” the parish priest added.
