The solemn funeral services for the 190 identified victims of the terrorist attacks of 11 March, of whom 47 are foreigners, are being celebrated today, 24 March, in the cathedral of Almudena in Madrid. The rite is being concelebrated by Cardinals Antonio M. Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Ricardo M. Carles Gordó, archbishop of Barcelona and Carlos Amigo Vallejo, archbishop of Seville. The majority of the archbishops, bishops and other representatives of the Spanish Church will also be present. “No negotiation with terrorism is possible wrote the Spanish bishops in a statement issued on 17 March (cf. Sir 21/2004) , for by doing so its criminal actions obtain social or political credit. Terrorists shall be called to answer for their own crimes before human justice and before that of God”. In Italy too, a solemn liturgy for the victims will be celebrated in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome on 26 March (at 11 am). The rite will be officiated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of the Holy See. In his Angelus prayer last Sunday the Pope once again recalled the suffering of Spain and of the whole world as a result of the terrorist attack. “Love said John Paul II is stronger than hatred and death!”.
