Madrid, Spain, Mar 18, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In a Mass celebrated at a packed Cathedral de la Almudena, which was attended by Queen Sofía of Spain, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, called on the Spanish people to not let the “hopeful truth” of eternal life in God be snatched away.
“God did not create death. He is the God of the living. The terrible trial we have just endured cannot diminish in the slightest the hopeful truth that mankind is destined to be with God,” the Cardinal told the faithful in attendance, which included several government officials, political party representatives, and family members of victims.
During his homily, the Archbishop of Madrid underscored the conduct of the people of Madrid, who, “from the first moment of the tragedy, responded with a swift and heroic response of faith and charity, in admirable contrast with the conduct of the killers who seem to live to kill others.”
Cardinal Rouco reminded the faithful that the purpose of coming together at Mass was “to pray for our brothers and sisters who have been violently snatched from this temporal life and to strengthen our hope in eternal life.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, which was carried live on Spanish TV, Queen Sofía, accompanied by the Cardinal and government officials, exited the Cathedral amidst the applause of those attending, shaking hands and greeting dozens as they left.