Bishop of Portland deeply saddened by mass shooting in Lewiston

By Vatican News

In the United States, Maine police are still hunting a 40-year-old Army reservist suspected of shooting dead 18 people on Wednesday, 25 October, in Lewiston. 13 other people were also left injured.

Robert Card, a trained firearms instructor and member of the U.S. Army Reserve who recently reported that he had mental health issues, walked into a local bowling alley and then in a nearby restaurant shooting with a semi-automatic weapon. Mr. Card is still on the run.

Bishop Robert Deeley of Portland calls for prayer

In response to the Lewiston massacre, Bishop Robert Deeley of Portland expressed his “profound sadness” at the news.

He invited the faithful to pray “for all those impacted by this terrible violence” and also for hospital personnel and chaplains who are caring for the injured.

“While it may seem impossible to find hope in a time such as this, we can draw hope from our spiritual roots, trusting that a loving God will not abandon us,” Bishop Deely wrote on Facebook. “As we pray to Him in our various ways, may He strengthen us and show us the way forward during the difficult days that lie ahead.”

'Senseless gun violence'

US President Joe Biden ordered flags flown at half-mast at the White House in the aftermath of the country’s latest mass shooting, and again called for tighter gun regulation.

Vice President Kamala Harris offered her sympathies to "yet another community torn apart by senseless gun violence." She said the administration will continue to provide support to local authorities as the investigation into the shootings uncovers what happened.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, "I am heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones, for those who have been injured, and for the entire Lewiston community."

The US has had at least 565 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.