The American bishops have strongly condemned the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Mr Trump, who is fighting for re-election for a second term as Republican President, possibly with Catholic convert Jim Vance as his vice president, was injured when a gunman opened fire as he gave a speech.
Afterwards, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for Military Services, who also serves as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said: “Together with my brother bishops, we condemn political violence, and we offer our prayers for President Trump, and those who were killed or injured.
“We also pray for our country and for an end to political violence, which is never a solution to political disagreements.
“We ask all people of goodwill to join us in praying for peace in our country. Mary, Mother of God and Patroness of the Americas, pray for us.”
A series of gunshots rang out during a Trump campaign rally in Butler that left at least one attendee dead along with the suspected gunman, while two other people were critically injured, according to a statement from the Secret Service.
The two injured persons were transferred by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where they were reported to remain in critical condition.
Trump himself posted a note on social media indicating that he had been shot in the upper part of his right ear, while photos showed the former president, face bloodied, pumping his fist while being surrounded by security personnel.
The former president was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, and shortly afterwards his plane departed from Pittsburgh, the closest major airport to the rally site.
This morning the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvannia, but were not yet prepared to suggest a motive for the attack.
Archbishop Broglio’s statement included a reference to a text issued in June by the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the US bishops’ conference addressing the threat of politically motivated violence.
“Violence harms innocent victims,” that document read. “Violence undermines order and the rule of law. Practically speaking, political violence does not ensure positive or lasting change.”
In the wake of Saturday’s shooting, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, a key adviser to Pope Francis, likewise condemned the incident, linking it to the country’s broader problem with gun violence.
“Our nation has once again witnessed another deadly and tragic shooting today,” O’Malley said in a statement.
“We join in prayer for the recovery of former President Trump, who was injured today. We also pray for the families of those killed and the injured. We give thanks for the Secret Service and first responders who acted so quickly.”
“As a nation, we must come to grips with the incessant violence that has too often become the norm. It must stop,” O’Malley said. “We must find peaceful ways to resolve our differences and avoid all political violence of any kind. May the Lord bless our country and all who seek a just and peaceful society.”
Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, reacted to the shootings in a social media post.
“I would like to offer prayers for President Trump and all those who were injured at the rally in Pennsylvania,” Barron wrote. “We must turn from the path of violence. May the Lord bless our troubled nation.”
America has a history of violent attacks on its presidents. Presidents Abraham Lincoln, John F Kennedy, William McKinley and James Garfield were all murdered in office.
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt survived assassination attempts. Plots were also made to kill George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden, Herbert Hoover, Barack Obama, Andrew Jackson, William Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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