Exacerbated divisions overshadow that we’re all brothers, sisters working for better world

The U.S. bishops offered prayers and solidarity with the bishops of Scandinavia after the bombings at government building in Oslo and shootings at a nearby youth camp in Utoya.

They offered condolences in a July 26 letter from Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to Bishop Anders Arborelius, OCD of Stockholm, president of the Scandinavian Episcopal Conference, and Bishop Bernt Ivar Eidsvig of Oslo.

“Please accept the deepest condolences of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as this moment of terrible sadness in the beautiful nation of Norway. The assault on government buildings in Oslo and a neighboring youth camp reminds us again of the fragility of life and the challenge to overcome evil in its many forms,” Archbishop Dolan said.

“The almost unfathomable tragedy and the deaths of so many innocent people touch the hearts of people all around the world and call us to special prayer for the victims, their families and the people of Norway especially.

“The Catholic bishops of the United States are in particular solidarity with the Scandinavian Bishops Conference at this time. We pray that you may experience God’s grace as you console your people at this moment of intense pain and outrage.

“We join with the church in Scandinavia in working towards peace in our society. As we see exacerbated social divisions overshadow the fact that we are all brothers and sisters who seek a better world for all, we ask God’s guidance and inspiration and gift of peace at this troubled time,” he said.