Pope Francis reacts to attack on Catholic Church

Pope Francis has reacted to the

The Catholic leader has offered to pray while conveying his condolences to the victims, affected families, and community.

In an Aug. 7 telegram, Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury following the violent attack in Saint Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu.”

He offered his “heartfelt condolences to all the faithful of the Diocese of Nnewi, in particular, the families of the deceased and all those affected by this tragedy.”

The Pontiff also gave the entire diocese his blessings of “consolation and strength.”

ALSO READ: What Christian leaders are saying about Ozubulu massacre

The Catholic News Agency reports that the telegram was addressed to Bishop Hilary Paul Odili Okeke of Nnewi.

It was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Pope Francis’ telegram follows the attack on the worshippers of ‎St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ugwu Oye in Ozubulu, Anambra State on Sunday, July 6, 2017.

According to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, the death toll has risen to 11.

The state police has linked the attack to a feud between members of the community living outside Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Channels TV reports that priests of Nnewi Diocese have held a mass for the victims of the attacks.

The mass was led by Catholic Bishop, Most Reverend Hilary Okeke, who said it was important for people to still come together in spite of the tragedy.

He said, “We have come here to turn to God in confidence and in trust: for the dead, so that the dead will have eternal rest; for the wounded, so that they will have healing; for the parents and the families, that they may be consoled and helped in every way; for the parish, that the parish will have confidence in God and even though they have gone through this suffering that they will still know that God has not abandoned them.”

The mass was celebrated on Monday, August 7, 2017.