New York: Twenty five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York has urged people to remember the power of faith, hope and community in times of tragedy.
Archbishop Hicks, who recalled learning about the attacks while attending graduate studies as a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, said the events remain deeply remembered by those who experienced them. He said people often return to faith and hope when everything around them appears to be falling apart.
The archbishop pointed to the courage of first responders and others who risked their lives to help victims. Among them was Father Mychal Judge, chaplain of the New York Fire Department, who died while serving others and became the first certified fatality of the attacks.
Father Judge's name is included among the 2,976 people commemorated at the 9/11 memorial in New York.
New York is marking the 25th anniversary with remembrance events, religious services, wreath laying ceremonies and other memorial activities. At 8:46 am, the time the first plane struck the North Tower 25 years ago, church bells across the city will ring as the city pauses to remember those who died.
Archbishop Hicks said the moment is intended to give people time to stop, listen, pray and remember together as a community.
The Archdiocese of New York held a vigil Mass on the evening of September 10 at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The gathering brought together relatives of victims, representatives of the New York Police and Fire departments, Port Authority and emergency services, as well as civic leaders, humanitarian organisations, priests and lay people.
The Mass also included Catholics, rabbis, imams, Protestant ministers and members of interreligious and ecumenical groups, reflecting the importance of unity and dialogue in the search for peace.
Archbishop Hicks said disagreements over theology, Church matters and politics should not prevent people from taking the first step towards standing together.
The anniversary also recalls the wider call for peace made by recent popes after the attacks. St. Pope John Paul II stressed the importance of dialogue in overcoming conflicts and building peace. Pope Benedict XVI later prayed at the World Trade Center site for strength, hope and the courage to work for peace. In 2015, Pope Francis reflected on the generosity and service shown by people amid the suffering of September 11.
For Archbishop Hicks, remembering 9/11 is also about recognising that healing and grieving take time. He said pain cannot simply be ignored, but hope remains.
His central message is that people do not face suffering alone. He said God was with people during the attacks, remained with them through the 25 years since then and will continue to be with them in the future.