Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston Releases Statement after the Killing of Catholic Couple Celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Newton
.png)
According to the district attorney in Newton, Massachusetts, Christopher Ferguson, age 41, attacked and killed Bruno D’Amore, 74, his wife Gilda D’Amore, 73, and her mother Lucia Arpino, 97. News reports indicate that defense attorney for the man accused of attacking three senior adults on June 25th, morning in Newton, Massachusetts, entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf on Tuesday. The couple were scheduled to attend their 50th wedding anniversary Mass before they were killed.
Father Dan Riley, the pastor for Our Lady Help of Christians, told 7NEWS that one of the victims, the husband, was very while planning the event, causing their absence to cause alarm, which led to the discovery of their murders. “Three of the most wonderful people – salt of the earth, lovely,” Riley said. “One of them does the flowers in our church. They’re there at church every week. The most wonderful Italian-Americans you can imagine. [Their] home is always open, hospitality, kindness, faith-centered – beautiful tomato garden out back. [They] would give you the shirt off their back.”
Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley Statement on Newton, MA Tragedy
“As priests, we serve to minister to people in times of great loss and tragedy. Often words are not enough to help families and friends come to terms with the loss of a loved one. We look to God for answers. We seek to understand. Often, we simply cannot make sense of what has happened. But our faith sustains us, and in this moment of enormous pain, we know that God is with us always.
This week and for the weeks, months, and years ahead, the brutal and senseless murders of Gilda D’Amore, her husband, Bruno D’Amore, and Gilda’s mother, Lucia Arpino, will stay with us as we come to terms with this unimaginable loss. They loved Christ and the Church. On the day of their murders, Gilda and Bruno were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at Our Lady Help of Christians. They lived their Catholic faith proudly and in service to the Church.
I am currently in Rome and will offer Mass for Gilda, Bruno, and Lucia at St. Peter’s Basilica. In our prayers, we will also remember the parishioners of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish and their sister parish Sacred Heart, their pastor Father Dan Riley, the parish staff and the entire community of Newton. We give thanks for the parish community of Our Lady Help of Christians and the surrounding Catholic communities coming together to support and care for each other. With God’s help, we will remember the gift of the lives of Gilda, Bruno and Lucia.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Comments