Phoenix, Ariz., Jan 10, 2011 / 17:49 pm
After a mass shooting in Arizona that killed 6 people and left over a dozen wounded, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix wrote a prayer grieving for the victims and their families and expressing hope that violence will never again “scar the social fabric” of the state.
The six who were killed in the violent attack Jan. 8 included 63 year-old U.S. District Judge John Roll and 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, both of whom were involved in Tucson Catholic parishes.
Bishop Olmsted offered his prayer at the convening of Arizona’s 50th Legislative Session on Jan. 10. He prayed that God would grant eternal rest to Judge Roll and the others who died in this weekend’s attack, and provide healing to Congresswoman Giffords and all those who were injured.
The incident began on Saturday when 22 year-old Jared Loughner opened fire at a local supermarket where recently elected Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was giving a community address. Loughner, a socially isolated, anti-government youth with a history of mental instability, was reportedly intent on killing the congresswoman with whom he took personal issue.