Canada's Filipino community in mourning after car attack on festival

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

Source: BC Catholic, CBC

Vancouver's Filipino community is in mourning and shock after a man drove an SUV into the Lapu-Lapu traditional Filipino Festival, killing eleven people, including a five year old child and injuring many more.

Archbishop Emeritus J Michael Miller CSB, who is currently administering the diocese, said in a letter to parishes: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events that took place yesterday during the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver. What should have been a joyful gathering to honour Filipino heritage has been overshadowed by sorrow and shock.

"The Filipino community is a vibrant and faith-filled part of our Archdiocese. In moments like this, your spirit of hope, resilience, and deep trust in God's providence shines even amid darkness. I encourage all of us to come together in prayer, asking the Lord to pour out his mercy upon those affected and to grant strength to all who are carrying heavy hearts. May our Blessed Mother intercede for us, bringing comfort and healing to Vancouver."

Mark Blandford, CEO of Providence Living, a Catholic healthcare organization in Vancouver which employs many Filipinos, said: "There are no words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by the senseless tragedy last night at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver." He said many staff likely had family and friends "deeply affected by this event."

"I want you to know that myself, the board, and all of the Providence family stand with you today...Everyone is devastated," he said, "and we know that the Filipino community is grieving deeply."

Providence Health Care's CEO Fiona Dalton also sent a message of sorrow and support to PHC staff. Noting Providence has a large number of Filipino staff, she said it was with "shock and grief" that she tried to "comprehend the brutal reality" of the attack.

She said: "My heart goes out to the people whose lives have been changed forever by this horrific incident.. So many people are dealing with varying levels of shock, grief and anger this morning and I cannot imagine the pain they are going through."

Victims of the attack were sent to numerous hospitals in the city. Dalton said the emergency services, medical, and surgical teams had responded with "exemplary" care. She thanked the many people "who stepped up to say 'What can I do to help?'"

Dalton ended with a personal message of solidarity and support for the Filipino community of Vancouver, including Filipino colleagues at Providence. "I want to say that we are here for you. We see you, we support you, and we will walk with you in this dark and difficult time, holding you in our hearts and prayers."

The Archdiocese of Vancouver's Filipino chaplaincy sent condolences to the Filipino community, who were included in memorial Masses on Sunday at the Garden of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery in Surrey.

At St Mary's Church in Vancouver, one of the closest parishes to the attack site, Fr Gabriel De Chadarevian, OP, addressed the tragedy at the 3pm Mass in Tagalog that was attended by local politicians and community leaders.

The parish published the following message of prayer and support on their Facebook page: Dear brothers and sisters, St Mary's Parish is deeply saddened by the tragic event that took place yesterday in Vancouver during the Lapu Lapu festival where majority of our Filipino brothers and sisters were gathered to celebrate. Our heart goes out to those families who have lost their loved ones or are injured. May the Lord who is merciful and compassionate be with them. We assure our prayers for all affected. May the peace of Risen Christ reign in the hearts of all and may the Divine Mercy wipe away the hatred from the hearts of all.

Speaking at the start of Mass, Father De Chadarevian, told parishioners, "We are all devastated - excuse me for being emotional - by the tragic events of yesterday that hit our beloved Filipino community. The violence that took the lives of men, women, and children, and injured others, has shaken us deeply."

"Nothing can be done, to fully express the intense pain we are feeling right now - as Christians, as Catholics, and simply as human beings."

Reflecting on Sunday, which marked the Feast of Divine Mercy, he said: "We put all our hope in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Divine Mercy, and in the Immaculate Heart of Mama Mary. We ask the Risen Lord to console the grieving families and to strengthen our faith and hope in the Resurrection."

Father De Chadarevian offered his thanks to the political leaders present for "showing solidarity with our beloved Filipino people."

In the midst of suffering, "we must turn to Mama Mary, the source of our comfort," he said.

He read Archbishop Miller's message and a message of condolence and support one from the Superior Provincial of the Dominicans in Canada, Rev Father Yves Burieau, OP. Fr Burieau wrote: "I share your pain and grief, as does the entire Filipino community in Vancouver and across Canada. The entire Provincial Council will soon be with you to accompany you through this painful ordeal. May the Risen Christ be your support and give you strength to accompany the community of Saint Mary."

Filipinos make up about 80 percent of St Mary's parish. The neighbouring St Patrick's Parish is about 90 percent Filipino. Another nearby Catholic church, Corpus Christi, was also deeply affected by the violence. Fr Raffaele Salvino set aside his prepared Divine Mercy Sunday homily focused on joy to deliver one of compassion and sympathy.

"This comes as a great shock because this is our neighbourhood, this is our beloved city," he told parishioners. Fr Salvino said: "I think we either know people directly affected or indirectly affected, including many nurses and doctors who are working right now at the hospital - my own family members working right now."

People have been placing candles and flowers at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack.

Canada's Catholic prime minister Mark Carney cancelled final rallies ahead of the federal election today to attend a prayer vigil at the scene of the attack and offer his condolences to the victims. He said the nation was "shocked, devastated and heartbroken."

A suspect has now been charged with multiple murders. Police say they do not believe the attack was an act of terrorism.