Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, is responding to today's attack in Barcelona with the following statement:

"Once again we find ourselves praying for the innocent victims and the families of the victims from another senseless act of violence, this time in Barcelona, Spain. There is never a reason to take anger and frustration to the extent of wiping away human lives on the streets. As Catholics we can not only pray on this, but also try our best to live as missionary disciples, always watchful for the chance to bring Christ's Peace to those who have anger dwelling in their hearts."

Thirteen people were killed and more than 100 injured when a van rammed through crowds in the heart of Barcelona. In Washington, Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, also issued the following statement in response to this afternoon's terror attack in Barcelona:

"Once again, an act of terror has taken more than a dozen lives and injured scores of others.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops unequivocally condemns this morally heinous act and places itself in solidarity with the people of the Archdiocese of Barcelona and Spain at this terrible time of loss and grief.

Terrorist attacks on innocent civilians can never be justified.   To directly attack innocent men, women and children is utterly reprehensible.Our prayers are with the families of those slain and injured in a particular way as we also pray for an end to terrorism.  May God comfort the afflicted and convert the hearts of those who would perpetrate such acts.  May our Lord bless both our world and those suffering today from this attack with the gift of peace."