THE Bishop of Western Louisiana, the Rt Revd Jacob W. Owensby, has expressed “horror and heartache” after eight children were killed in mass shootings at two homes in Shreveport, Louisiana. He said that the “consolations of our faith do not erase or compensate for our grief”.
In a statement to the diocese, which includes Shreveport, Bishop Owensby said: “We pray that our loving God receives them into the arms of his mercy and into the joy of his eternal light.”
The Episcopal News Service reported that he has been communicating with the Bishop of Louisiana, the Rt Revd Shannon Duckworth, who had made a donation from the Bishop’s Fund on the diocese’s behalf to assist with funeral expenses.
The alleged gunman — who was the father of seven of the children, and uncle to the other — was fatally shot by police after fleeing in a carjacked vehicle. He also allegedly shot his wife, the mother of four of the children, and his ex-wife, the mother of three of the children. At the same time, his sister-in-law and 12-year-old niece were injured after jumping from the roof of one of the homes. Another 13-year-old boy was also injured after jumping from a roof, it was reported.
The children who died — five girls and three boys — were aged between three and 11.
“We pray that our loving God receives them into the arms of his mercy and into the joy of his eternal light,” Bishop Owensby said.
“We pray for those who mourn; for those who fear for their children; for families enduring violence and abuse; for those weighed down by despair. And we pray for the wisdom and the strength and the courage to work with God’s grace to heal this shattered, aching world. To be instruments of peace and justice and love.”
The diocese of Louisiana, which is based in New Orleans, posted on Facebook a passage from the American Book of Common Prayer: “Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with those who mourn. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”