Skip to main content

Pope Francis sends message of 'spiritual closeness and blessing' to the families of the victims of the Plymouth shooting after five were killed by incel gunman

The Pope has sent a message of 'spiritual closeness and blessing' to the families of the victims of the Plymouth shooting.

A letter sent to the Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Mark O'Toole, on Tuesday, sent via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said the Pope hopes people can 'overcome every evil with good'. 

Gunman Jake Davison, 22, killed his 51-year-old mother Maxine and four others before turning the gun on himself on August 12 in one of the worst mass shootings in the UK in more than a decade. 

The letter said: 'Saddened to learn of last Thursday's shooting in Plymouth, his Holiness Pope Francis asks you kindly to convey to those affected the assurance of his spiritual closeness.

'He joins you in commending the souls of those who died to Almighty God's loving mercy and he implores the divine gifts of healing and consolation upon the injured and bereaved.'

The letter continued: 'With prayers that Christ the Redeemer will grant to all the strength to renounce violence and to overcome every evil with good. His Holiness cordially imparts his apostolic blessing.'

The killings shocked the community, with many places of worship and other neighbourhood hubs opening their doors to offer support. 

After murdering his mother at at a house in the Keyham area of the city, Davison went out into the street and shot dead three-year-old Sophie Martyn and her 43-year-old father, Lee Martyn.

He then killed Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park, before shooting Kate Shepherd, 66, on Henderson Place in the 12-minute rampage.

Jake Davison killed five people, including his mother, in Plymouth last Thursday before turning the gun on himself

Jake Davison killed five people, including his mother, in Plymouth last Thursday before turning the gun on himself

It has since emerged Davison received mental health support during the coronavirus lockdown, and had been in contact with a telephone-based mental health service.

His social media use suggested he had an obsession with 'incel' culture, an abbreviation of 'involuntary celibate' as well as an interest in guns and the US.

Devon and Cornwall Police is facing an investigation into why officers returned Davison's shotgun to him a matter of weeks before the killing spree.

It was seized last December following an allegation of assault.

Since the attack, the Government has announced firearms applicants will be subject to social media checks.

This also includes all forces in England and Wales, who have been asked to review their firearms application process.

A letter sent to the Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Mark O'Toole, on Tuesday, sent via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said the Pope hopes people can 'overcome every evil with good'

A letter sent to the Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Mark O'Toole, on Tuesday, sent via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said the Pope hopes people can 'overcome every evil with good'

Pope Francis's letter comes in the wake of a service led by the Anglican Bishop of Plymouth, Right Reverend Nick McKinnel, in which he urged people to 'rise above' the need to find someone to blame.

Among those attending were Shaun Sawyer, chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Councillor Terri Beer, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, council leader, Nick Kelly, and local MP, Luke Pollard.

The bishop praised the emergency services for rushing to the scene not knowing what they faced.

'We appreciate and admire the calm leadership of the chief constable and the professionalism of those who serve under him,' Bishop McKinnel said.

'And I hope we can rise above the apparent need to always point the finger, always to find someone to blame, which is such an unattractive aspect of our culture.

'There should be anger, but let us direct it at those who disseminate hate and feed on the insecurities, isolation and bitterness of confused and sick people.'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o