FROM FR MAURICE 28TH AUGUST 2022

St Paul writes in the Letter to the Romans: ‘The life and death of each of us has its influence on others.’ (14:7ff)   We certainly experience the reality of Paul’s words when we lose a loved one in death.  However, it often extends to those who have died in tragic, horrific circumstances we come to hear of through the media.  Often they are unknown to us, but our hearts are touched deeply by the shock and the tragedy of these events.  The week the news has focussed on yet another horrific death in the local community; nine-year- old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her own home in Knotty Ash - a completely innocent victim of a gangland shooting.

It is impossible to appreciate the sheer horror of the moment the gunman tried to force his way into the sanctuary of Olivia’s family home pursuing his intended victim; injuring him, her mum Cheryl, and fatally wounding Olivia.   Olivia was a pupil at St Margaret Mary’s, the local Catholic primary school.  Some of her pals described as, ‘Kind and funny’.  The media has also broadened its attention to the police investigation, appeals for information, and the apparent ease of access to guns in Liverpool.

This is explained because Liverpool is a major port, its geographical location, and with strong historical links to Ireland our nearest neighbour?   For me this element reinforces a long-held, negative stereotypes of this great city and its culturally diverse community which the city has worked so hard to shed in recent years. Yet, the vast majority of Liverpudlians are known for their humanity and great humour in the midst of adversity.   The horror and profound grief of Olivia’s Mum, her two siblings and family, is shared across the city, even the nation.   The spontaneous outpouring of love, compassion, and concern expresses another important truth of the Faith, expressed again by St Paul, ‘Where sin abounds, the grace of God abounds even more,’ (Rom. 5:20).  As I write, we hear on the news that a man has been arrested and charged.                                

Let us pray for the comfort and strengthening of Olivia’s mum, family, and school pals in their tragic loss.  For Olivia, she now enjoys that, Fullness of life promised by Jesus (Jn 10:10), in the home of her heavenly Father.   May she rest in the Lord’s peace.