HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, offered the following statement today to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 — a day of profound sorrow that forever changed our nation and remains etched in our collective memory. It is likely that most of us will recall that traumatic day, where we were and what we were doing as the tragedy unfolded.
“Today, we pause to remember and pray for the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day, including those who died aboard Flight 93 here in Pennsylvania. We remember their families and loved ones, whose grief endures even after 25 years. We honor the first responders, emergency personnel and countless ordinary people whose extraordinary courage and selflessness revealed light during great darkness. We also honor the women and men who have served in our armed forces in the conflicts that followed the attacks of September 11 in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially those who died in the service of their country, or whose lives were permanently changed through a serious injury.
“The anniversary of September 11 also recalls a time when our nation turned to God in prayer and came together with a renewed sense of unity and care for one another. Twenty-five years later, as violence, division, and conflict continue to wound our world, we are called again to choose peace, to seek unity, and to care for one another.
“May we ask the Lord to heal the wounds that remain, to make each of us an instrument of His peace in our families, our communities, our nation, and our world.
“May God grant eternal rest to all who died on September 11, 2001, comfort all who still mourn, and may He continue to guide our nation in the ways of peace, unity, and hope.”
###
The Diocese of Harrisburg was established on March 3, 1868. It has 88 parishes, 6 missions, 2 communities, 32 Catholic schools, and is home to approximately 201,000 registered Catholics throughout its 15 counties. To learn more about the Diocese and its ministries, visit www.hbgdiocese.org.
