Local priest reacts to ‘terrible’ theater shootings

Last updated on: July 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm by CNA Daily News

Local priest reacts to ‘terrible’ theater shootings 2012-07-20T20:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Aurora, Colo., Jul 20, 2012 / 02:08 pm (CNA).- Aurora priest Father Mauricio Bermudez said the murderous movie theater shootings have had a “devastating” effect on the community.

“It’s terrible. Everybody is just sad, shocked. People are really frustrated and some are worrying about what will happen with security around here,” he told CNA on July 20.

Fr. Bermudez is a parochial vicar at Aurora’s Queen of Peace parish, the Catholic church closest to the Century Aurora 16 Theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded 59 more during a premiere showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” early Friday morning.

“I’m really sorry about what happened,” the priest said. “I don’t understand why that happened and why this guy did the things he did.”

He is not yet aware if anyone he knows was injured or killed in the shooting.

“I’m very sad for all the people who died,” he said. “At least for now, I can offer my prayers and my support to all of them, especially the families that lost their members.”

Fr. Bermudez himself went to an early showing of the movie, but at another cinema.

“Now I’m really concerned about what the culture is becoming and the violence we are promoting, in one way or another,” he told CNA.

Queen of Peace will host a 5 p.m. Mass on Friday with the new Archbishop of Denver Samuel J. Aquila, who was installed July 18.

“We want to pray for all the victims,” Fr. Bermudez said.

Federal authorities have identified James Holmes, 24, as the suspected gunman. The gunman wore a gas mask and set off gas canisters in the theater before opening fire. He wore a bullet-resistant vest and used several weapons.

The suspect told police he had explosives in his apartment five miles from the theater. Police have evacuated nearby apartments and say his apartment is rigged with explosive devices and trip wires.

Holmes, a graduate of a San Diego high school, was a graduate student in neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Denver. He was in the process of withdrawing from classes, according to the Denver Post.

Archbishop Aquila and auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley released a July 20 statement saying they are “shocked and saddened” by the shootings.

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters cast into that darkness. They do not stand alone. As Catholic bishops, we ‘weep with those who weep’,” they said.

Previous Post

July 20, 2012

Lawsuit dropped against Spanish bishop who criticized gay lifestyle

Next Post

July 20, 2012 Archbishop Aquila to say Mass for theater massacre victims

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Isaiah 40, what voice cries out to prepare the way for the Lord?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A lion roaring A voice in the wilderness A child singing A trumpet blasting