The leader of the Austrian Evangelical Alliance has published a moving tribute following a deadly school shooting that claimed 11 lives in the city of Graz, pointing to comfort in God despite humans' helplessness.
The June 10 attack occurred at Dreierschützengasse High School when a 21-year-old former student entered the building with two legally owned firearms and opened fire. Authorities said the gunman, who had not graduated from the school, later died by suicide in a bathroom on campus. Among the dead were seven students, according to officials.
“After the terrible rampage in Graz, in which several people lost their lives and others were seriously injured, there is deep shock and grief,” stated an Austrian Federal Police (Polizei Österreich) news update.
“Our thoughts are with the relatives and friends of the victims. We mourn with them. In these hours of pain and bewilderment, our sympathy and sympathy go out to them. We wish the injured a speedy and full recovery.”
Three days of national mourning were announced by the Austrian government with flags flown at half-mast on all public buildings as a sign of respect.
“In such moments, it becomes clear how vulnerable our society is – and how important cohesion, responsibility and humanity are,” added the Austrian Police update.
“What motivates someone to commit such an act?” asked Oliver Stozek, general secretary of the Österreichische Evangelische Allianz (Austria Evangelical Alliance), in a published tribute on the association’s website, adding: “This attack leaves you feeling powerless, incomprehensible and helpless.”
“Words fail you. We have heard of such acts abroad, but I think many people here in Austria could never have imagined it,” said Stozek, clearly taken aback at the tragic event. “As a result, the whole country is paralyzed and in a state of shock."
Stozek acknowledged the confidence in eternal life through Jesus helping in such times. Yet the grief and mourning by Austrians was felt by Christians as much as anyone else.
“And here, we Christians are no different to anyone else. The feelings we have are the same. And of course we ask ourselves how we can help,” added Stozek.
“Even if we know that we don't need to be afraid of death—because as Jesus says, we don't need to be afraid of those who can at most take our lives—this only helps to a certain extent. It can take away our fear, but what about the victims and their families? What about the family of the perpetrator?”
The reason why both evangelical and non-believer felt so “powerless” in such situations, Stozek added, is that “we know that we have nothing that can really help”—God alone offers the solution.
“Even though we know a God who is the source of all comfort, we are helpless. But our heavenly Father is not.
“He has comfort and a future, even for those affected. And so this can only draw us into prayer. Let us pray for them, that they may have an encounter with the Savior who can also deliver them from this traumatic experience.”
