Santiago, Chile, Jan 5, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Bishop of Valparaíso expressed his grief and condolences to the families of two women who were killed last Friday while they were attending Mass in a local parish.
In a press release the diocese described the attack which took place in the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in Quilpué. Gabriel Páez, a local police officer, entered the church as Mass was being celebrated and shot his ex-wife Jennifer Araya and her mother, Leonor Viot. He then attempted to kill himself but parishioners wrestled him to the ground and held him until authorities arrived.
“We are filled with anguish by what has occurred, and we especially wish to express our closeness to the families of the victims, the faithful, and the people of the city of Quilpué in their grief, assuring them of our prayers,” said the statement.
The Bishop also expressed his concern for the family of the policeman.
“We are certain, trusting in the mercy of God, that these sisters of ours, after having participated in Holy Mass, were welcomed into the arms of our Eternal Father,” the text concludes.