When Bishop David Zubik and three of his priests heard about the shootings at the LA Fitness gym in Collier Township, their goal was to be present to the victims and their families.
The bishop went to UPMC Mercy after getting a phone call from Father Matt McClain telling him about the tragedy where three women were killed, nine others were injured and the shooter committed suicide.
“I was so impressed to see how the hospital was handling this, especially in the crowded central lobby,” Bishop Zubik said.
With several shooting victims in surgery, he was able to speak with two of the husbands. “I was inspired by the depth of their faith,” he said.
Interesting story. It used to be that when a tragedy struck the first people called to counsel traumatized people were priests, ministers, and rabbis.
But, at least in our area of Eastern Ma.–if anyone is called to talk to family members after tragic deaths it is something called “death counselors.” But a recent research survey showed that secular “death counselors” are worse than nothing.
We had a plane crash w/multiple deaths, including children, last winter. Our parish priest (Anglican) and a couple of Roman priests were the only clergy to show up. He spent a long night trying to be of service wherever needed that night.