The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have written to Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, offering their deepest sympathy, prayers and solidarity following recent events in Kraków.

Please join us in praying for all those affected, their families and the people of Poland at this time of sorrow.

Read the bishops’ letter below.

Your Excellency, dear Brother,

Meeting this week in Coatbridge for our Autumn Plenary assembly, the Catholic Bishops of Scotland have received with profound shock and heavy hearts the devastating news of the mass shooting in Kraków’s city centre this past weekend.

On behalf of the Catholic Church and the faithful in Scotland, we write to offer our deepest fraternal sympathy, prayers and solidarity to you, the Polish hierarchy, and the entire nation at this time of national sorrow.

We are particularly heartbroken by the loss of innocent lives in Kraków's Main Market Square and the preceding tragedy in the suspect’s family home. We pray that the Lord of all consolation will receive the souls of the deceased into His eternal peace and grant strength to their grieving families. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the many injured, including the police officers who courageously risked their lives to apprehend the attacker; we pray for their full and swift recovery.

The bonds between the peoples of Scotland and Poland are deep, historical and enduring. Today, our own parishes across Scotland are immeasurably enriched by a vibrant Polish community, making this tragedy feel close to home. Please be assured that we are united in prayer and that in today's celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we remembered the victims and prayed for peace in your homeland.

May the Prince of Peace pour out His healing grace upon the city of Kraków, and may Our Lady, Queen of Poland, comfort all who mourn.

With every assurance of our brotherly care and highest esteem in the Risen Lord,

Yours fraternally in Christ,

+𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆
Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

+𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻
Archbishop of Glasgow

+𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝗮𝗹
Bishop of Motherwell

+𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗦𝗕
Bishop of Aberdeen

+𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻
Bishop of Paisley

+𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗲𝗲
Bishop of Argyll and the Isles

+𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻
Bishop of Galloway

+𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗲
Bishop of Dunkeld

+𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗸𝗶
Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy

+𝗠𝗮𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗦𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗹
Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy