WASHINGTON – Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, condemned the coordinated attacks carried out by terrorists April 21 on multiple churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.
At least 200 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the attacks, in which simultaneous explosions rocked the country’s minority Christian community as well as luxury hotels around Colombo on Easter Sunday morning.
“This morning in Sri Lanka a coordinated series of bombings killed hundreds of worshipers in Catholic Churches and others of all faiths in nearby hotels,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “The churches were St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo and Zion Church in the eastern city of Batticaloa.
“This great evil targeted these churches as they were packed full of worshipers who were celebrating Easter, the day in which Christians around the world celebrate the rising of the King of Peace from the dead,” he said. “We offer our prayers for the victims and their families. And we join with all people of good will in condemning these acts of terrorism. This evil cannot overcome the hope found in our Savior’s Resurrection. May the God of hope who has raised his Son, fill all hearts with the desire for peace.”