Dear Brothers and Sisters–

It is a sad day for all of humanity as we weep for the beloved sons and daughters of France who have been struck by the most heinous of all terrorism in Paris. May God have mercy on all who have been affected by this horror. This terrorist attack affects all of us and its impact makes us aware of the need for a greater sense of prayer and reliance on Jesus as we move forward. This tragedy truly affects all of us and affects us deeply. This goes beyond politics–this is about humanity! Please pray.

I encourage all parishes to pour forth prayers and deep sentiments for the victims of this terrorism. Pray that we may open our minds and our hearts to the grace of God for peace. Let us move away from the promotion of individual ideas of relativist morality. We must support one another in prayer and raise a genuine awareness of our solidarity as human beings made in the image and likeness of God.

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters–the world is smaller today! God is with us–do not forget this!!

+William Patrick Callahan, Bishop of La Crosse