Graz, Austria, June 11, 2025
Photo: romfea.gr
Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria of the Patriarchate of Constantinople issued a statement of condolence and condemnation following Tuesday’s deadly school shooting in Graz that claimed 11 lives.
The attack occurred at approximately 10:00 local time at Dreierschützengasse high school, where it’s believed a 21-year-old former student who had not graduated opened fire with two legal firearms. Seven women and four men were killed in what Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called “a dark day in [the] history of our country.” The suspected gunman reportedly took his own life in a school bathroom. At least 11 others were injured, with one remaining in critical condition.
Austria has declared three days of national mourning beginning Wednesday, with a nationwide minute of silence scheduled for 10:00 local time.
In his statement, Met. Arsenios expressed “deep emotion” upon learning of the tragedy and offered sincere condolences to affected families, classmates, and the entire school community. He announced that priests from the Holy Metropolis of Austria would provide 24-hour spiritual support to schools and crisis centers.
The Metropolitan issued a broader call to action, urging society not to remain passive when young people face pressure, turn to violence, or slip into isolation. He called for decisive action against all forms of psychological violence from schools, families, communities, and public institutions.
“We owe it to our children and young people to create safe spaces where they will feel that they are seen, valued and loved,” the Metropolitan stated, calling for unity through both words and actions.
He condemned the attack “with the greatest severity” while appealing to political and spiritual authorities to intensify efforts protecting children and youth to prevent similar tragedies.
Read his full statement:
With deep emotion I learned about the tragic incident at the school in Graz, in which many young people and adults lost their lives.
As a Church, in this difficult moment we feel particularly obligated to raise our voice for peace, comfort and support.
Our sincere condolences go out to all the families who were affected, to the classmates and to the entire school community. We mourn together and share their pain. However, it’s not enough to remain in grief, we must act concretely.
The priests of the Holy Metropolis of Austria are available 24 hours a day and offer spiritual support to schools and crisis centers.
At the same time, I appeal to our entire society not to remain inactive when young people are pressured, resort to knives or slip into isolation.
Every form of psychological violence must be fought decisively, by schools, families, communities and public institutions.
We owe it to our children and young people to create safe spaces where they will feel that they’re seen, valued and loved.
Let us stand united not only with words, but also with actions, with open ears and helping hands and structures that protect.
It’s our common responsibility to confront hatred, despair and pain with love and solidarity.
Only in this way can we prevent the emergence of new tragedies from need and loneliness.
We condemn with the greatest severity such horrible acts of violence in educational spaces.
At the same time, we make an urgent appeal to political and spiritual authorities to intensify their efforts for the protection of our children and young people, so that such tragedies are not repeated.
In the spirit of brotherhood and unity, I call on all the faithful to unite our forces with love and solidarity, so that humanity may overcome fear and darkness.
May the Lord grant peace to the relatives of the victims and to all of us strength to remain united with solidarity, compassion and responsibility.
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