We are deeply shocked by the act of violence at the school in Graz this morning. Our sympathies go out to all those who are directly affected, physically injured, traumatized, and in shock and grief.
We pray for all the affected families, for the classmates, for the teachers, for all first responders, for the police and security personnel on duty, and for the perpetrator’s family.
The deeply shocking and almost incomprehensible dimension of this act creates a sense of insecurity for many people in the immediate vicinity, but also nationwide, which we want to counter intelligently.
All traumatized people should experience during these hours that they are not alone and that they can rely on someone else. Therefore, where possible, we are happy to offer referrals to expert help in pastoral care and trauma support.
We also encourage all parents and educators to seek support for talking to children through readily available guides (e.g. https://notfallseelsorge.ekir.de/inhalt/wie-soll-man-mit-kindern-ueber-eine-schwere-gewalttat-sprechen/).
Pastor Dietrich Fischer-Dörl MSc (President of the Federation of Baptist Churches in Austria)
