Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Hold Mass In Remembrance Of Orlando Shooting Victims
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will hold a special Mass on Sunday evening in memory of the victims of the shooting massacre at an Orlando, Florida nightclub.
Reverend Dennis Gill, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, will be the main celebrant and homilist at Mass offered for the repose of the souls of the victims, the archdiocese confirmed Saturday.
The Mass will include special prayers asking for the mercy of God on all those who suffered and died as a result of the tragedy, including Akyra Murray, a recent graduate of West Catholic Preparatory High School.
The service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and is open to anyone who wants to attend.
Archbishop Charles Chaput released the following statement in the wake of the shooting.
The recent violent acts committed in Orlando are horrific and they fill all of us with an unspeakable sadness. Innocent and precious lives were lost in a senseless and evil way. The family and friends of those who perished now shoulder a heavy burden of grief and suffering.
As Christians, our duty is to pray for those whose lives were ended by the inexcusable cruelty of others and to ask God to pour his comforting grace upon all those who are in mourning.
