Memorial Service and Sea of Lights in Graz After School Rampage

Following the attack at a school in Graz, which resulted in eleven deaths and a dozen seriously injured, a memorial service was held at the Graz Cathedral on Tuesday evening. Several hundred people followed the invitation of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau. The Austrian government and the Styrian state government leaders, as well as representatives of the city, were also present.

Large Attendance at Memorial Service in Graz Cathedral

Hundreds of deeply shaken Graz residents came to the cathedral on Tuesday evening to commemorate the victims. Many of them were dressed in black, while some in casual attire, having spontaneously decided to join the memorial service. Not everyone found a seat in the church and participated in the mass standing. The political leaders from the federal and state governments arrived shortly before 7:30 PM and participated in the service from the choir area. Among those present were Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ), Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ), and Deputy Governor Manuela Khom (ÖVP), as well as government members and representatives of the city of Graz, including the Mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr (KPÖ).

Diocesan Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl was also present. He came directly from a conversation with ORF Styria, where he spoke on Radio Styria at 6:00 PM about how to deal with such horrific events.

Rampage at Graz School "Intolerable Act"

Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag expressed the dismay faced in light of the tragedy at the Graz school. "Many are stunned by this intolerable act. Let us bear the unbearable together," he urged those present. "In such situations, it is comforting to hear and speak words of hope," he shared with the gathered.

"We came because the thoughts of the young people and also the parents of the killed youths, who will never come home again, do not leave our minds," a couple said after the mass to the APA. "Graz seemed like a perfect world to me, but today a piece of it has been lost," a lady said after the memorial service.

Service Also in School District Church St. Vincent

Already at 6:30 PM, a memorial service for the victims of the rampage at the Graz school in the morning took place under police protection in the Graz parish of St. Vincent. The church is located not far from the crime scene and within the district of the affected high school. Several officers from the Styrian State Police Directorate were stationed in front of the parish entrance throughout the entire service.

He had passed by the neighboring school during the operation on Tuesday and thought of "the young people," said Father Bernhard Pesendorfer in his sermon in the evening. "In such a moment, one becomes aware that there is little to truly rely on in life," said the priest. That young people lost their lives in such a terrible way is bone-chilling and beyond words. Nevertheless, they wanted to remember all the dead, injured, and affected relatives and "trust in togetherness."

Numerous children and teenagers were present at the mass. Flowers were also laid. Among those participating were Health and Integration City Councilor Robert Krotzer (KPÖ), City Councilor Tristan Ammerer (Greens), and Alexis Pascuttini, City Councilor and Chairman of the Corruption-Free City Council Club (KFG).

Islamic Religious Community Commemorated After Evening Prayer

The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) commemorated the victims in the Styrian mosques at 9:00 PM following the daily evening prayer: "This tragic event leaves us speechless and deeply saddened. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the students, teachers, and all families affected," stated Mehmet Celebi, Chairman of the Islamic Religious Community of Styria, in a release. The President of the IGGÖ, Ümit Vural, reacted deeply affected in an initial statement early today and emphasized: "This atrocity is beyond words. As a society, we must stand together even more in these moments and be there for each other."

Sea of Lights at Graz Main Square

After 9:00 PM, hundreds of people gathered at Graz Main Square for a sea of lights. They lit candles in front of the Archduke Johann Fountain. Among the mourning people were particularly many young people, but also couples in evening attire were seen. Some embraced each other, providing comfort. Others brought candles to the provided flat metal trays, where hundreds of lights were already burning. Young people helped place the candles. A student spoke to her friends in the crowd: "This is so terrible," likely expressing the feelings of many others who mostly mourned silently, staring at the candles, accompanied by the church bells ringing at 10:00 PM.

Behind the mourners, the black flag hung at Graz City Hall, and individual counselors from the crisis intervention team were ready to assist people if needed. A noticeably oppressive atmosphere reminded of the sea of lights in 2015 after Alen R.'s rampage through Graz's Herrengasse. At that time, thousands of people followed a Facebook call for a "sea of candles."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.