Denver: In the wake of a violent antisemitic attack at a rally in Boulder, Colorado, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver issued a heartfelt plea for peace, denouncing hatred and urging an end to all acts of violence that divide communities and endanger lives.

“I am deeply saddened by this horrific act,” Archbishop Aquila said in a statement Monday, responding to news that a 45-year-old Egyptian man threw incendiary devices into a crowd gathered for a “Run for Their Lives” event—a demonstration demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The attacker reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” as he launched the firebombs, injuring twelve individuals, six of whom required hospitalization.

“What grieves me especially,” the archbishop continued, “is that it appears our Jewish brothers and sisters were deliberately targeted. This type of violence must come to an end, as it only fuels hatred.”

Federal authorities confirmed that the suspect had meticulously planned the assault for over a year, targeting what he labeled a “Zionist group.” During a press briefing, Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell disclosed that the suspect showed no remorse and declared he would commit the act again if given the chance. He now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and federal hate crimes.

Archbishop Aquila called on the faithful to respond with prayer and compassion. “We pray for all those affected by this devastating attack,” he said. “May the Lord grant them healing and peace. Let us resist hatred with love and remember that every human being is made in the image of God.”

The Archbishop’s response echoes the moral clarity of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s landmark document on interfaith relations, which firmly denounces antisemitism and all forms of discrimination: “The Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their race, colour, condition of life, or religion.”

Archbishop Aquila’s statement serves as both a condemnation of violence and a reminder of the Church’s enduring commitment to solidarity with the Jewish people and the broader call to pursue peace, even in the face of hatred.