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Terrorists bomb Catholic university in Spain

Comments: 10

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Pamplona, Spain, Oct 30, 2008 / 12:40 pm (CNA).- The University of Navarra, a Catholic school in Pamplona, Spain was bombed by the Basque separatist group ETA on Thursday morning. Initial estimates indicate that 21 people have been injured.

At around 11:00 a.m. a car-bomb exploded at a parking lot located between the main building and the Library of Humanities, injuring 21 people and destroying 20 vehicles.

"There were other small explosions after the fire set off by the fuel tanks in the parked cars nearby," Bernardino Leon, a University of Navarra professor, told the Antena 3 TV channel.

The bombing against Opus Dei-run University received immediate condemnation from the archbishop of Valencia, Cardinal Agustin García-Gasco, who called it "an act of abject inhumanity." "I express my deepest solidarity to this great community of students and my utmost repudiation of the terrorists' logic," he said on Thursday.

"This shows another expression of ETA's barbarism and culture of death," Cardinal García-Gasco said in a statement released to also express solidarity with the University's Supreme Chancellor and Opus Dei Prelate, Bishop Javier Echeverría.

"By attacking the University of Navarre, terrorists show where they stand: at the opposite of any human good," the cardinal concluded.

Ángel Gómez-Montoro, the rector of the University, reacted to the attack by saying, "we have decided to go back to normality as soon as possible," and "we will do it without fear or anger."

"This is the time to remember the importance of forgiveness, and we want to call the terrorists to stop making so many people suffer," he stressed.

University students and professors will hold a silent march of protest against violence at noon on October 31.

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: carlos
espana 11/18/2008 12:07 PM EST

One thing appears certain; the cowardly attack was not carried out because of reasons of persecution against the principles of the work of the Gospel of Christ, but in antagonism of temporal elements.

Published by: antonhysalva
catalonia/spain 11/14/2008 11:43 AM EST

My terrorist wanted intimideit the studens - sorry and prowd change that sort of conduct, we wish all the best, for the injured and theyr familis , we from Catalonia are really tired of this
terrorist, Pry God every day for the end of this acts,God Bless the University of Navarra, ist a fantastic place.
Very brilliant people have been student in this wonderful place

Published by: Teodoro L. Dulaca
Bacolod City/Negros Occ./Philippines 11/12/2008 05:33 AM EST

I glorify God for allowing such incidents to happen. Jesus conquered death by physically dying on the cross. The students, the faculty and the whole community of the University of Navarre put to life the power of forgiveness and love to shame the atrocities of the wicked. May remorse and desperation eat out the hearts and minds of the terrorists, unless they too can forgive and give love the chance to flourish....

Published by: H.J. D"cruz
Karachi Pakistan 11/11/2008 12:39 AM EST

They have not achieved anything by bombing a catholic university. The students will suffer.
The ETA should have instead had a go at the prime minister if they have any griviences.

Published by: Dervila Healy
Terenure, Dublin, Ireland 11/10/2008 05:37 AM EST

I was shocked & amazed by the bomb attack and prayed for all concerned:both the injured and those who committed the atrocity. The latter damage their own humanity in the process of attacking others who are doing so much good.

Published by: Ray
Manhattan, KS, USA 11/04/2008 02:47 PM EST

One possible motive for the ETA terrorist act against The University of Navarra might be "historically motivated." Since the university is associated with Opus Dei, the ETA people might have decided to do a "follow up" bombing.

If anyone remembers the late Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, they will recall that he was one of the last Prime Ministers of Spain under the late Francisco Franco. He was also said to be "close to Opus Dei."

In December 1973, four members of ETA, after careful planning, blew the Admiral literally sky high in front of a church in Madrid. They (the ETA) called it "Operation Ogre." In a manifesto issued by ETA after the assassination, it was mentioned that one of the reasons for the Admiral's death was his Opus Dei connections.

With that said,there might be some reason to believe that the bombings at the University of Navarra are part of a long history of ETA antipathy towards Opus Dei.

Published by: Joseph
McLean, VA 22102 USA 11/02/2008 12:34 PM EST

Why? No good can come from this sort of conduct.

Published by: Blesilda B. Magno
Metro Manila, Philippines 11/02/2008 10:26 AM EST

Although shocked and saddened by the tragic event, I am certain that our Father, St. Josemaria will support all recovery efforts from heaven. Evil is truly present in our midst and it has one goal: to destroy the good.

I will pray for the recovery of all those who were injured in the senseless and useless bombing at the University.

I will likewise offer many masses for the speedy return to normalcy of University operations.

May many blessings arise and apostolic fruits blossom from this conundrum.

Published by: Susan Rueda
Pittsburgh, Pa USA 11/01/2008 02:22 PM EST

As a wife of an alumus of University of Navarre and a mother of a student there who was in the building where the bomb went off, I am very proud of the reaction of the faculty and students. It is a wonderful place to study and live and clearly the founder, St. Josemaria would be proud. I am sure he had something to do with the remarkable fact that so few people were injured. Our prayers and thoughts are with the University.

Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 10/30/2008 01:12 PM EST

May God bring the bombers to justice.

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