+Aquilina the Martyr of Syria 

Beloved in the Lord,
 
Our country endured another tragedy with the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida this weekend. The lives of 49 innocent people were lost, with over 50 more injured, amidst the sad anticipation that the death toll from this senseless crime will increase.
 
These acts of violence - be they hate crimes or terrorism - are becoming far too frequent headlines in our news. Friends and families are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and our nation once again responds in a unified voice that violence of any nature will not be tolerated.
 
May God's mercy and healing be granted upon all those who are suffering as a result of this horrific crime, and we beseech the Lord that peace may one day triumph in our world. 

With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco