Common grief: Austria combines Graz amoctat

Common grief: Austria combines Graz amoctat

Graz, Österreich - In Styria, an interreligious service for coping with grief after the tragic killing spree in Graz has taken place. At the beginning of the moving commemoration on June 12, 2025, candles were inflamed for the ten fatalities, including the relatives and friends who came together in these difficult hours. Among those who lit candles were political greats such as Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) and Minister of Education Christoph Return (NEOS). Representatives of various faith communities, including Vural from the Islamic Faith Community and Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl from the Diocese of Graz, also participated in this act of memory. The elevenest candle, which Josef Grünwidl, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna, was particularly moving for which the perpetrator was lit. "God brings hope into the darkness," noted Grünwidl, making it clear that the state mourning ends with the mass, but the wounds will remain.

High -ranking representatives from the security apparatus were also present, including the general director for public security and the Styrian state police director. After the service, a requiem took place, in which Ermin Sehic, the first imam of the Islamic religious community of Vienna, read out of the Koran. Bishop Chalupka spoke a prayer and Archbishop Lackner from Salzburg emphasized the need to collapse in times of grief. This commonality in mourning forms an important step to process the terrible events in Graz and to help the families concerned. The state of Styria also plans memorial events under the motto "We hold together" on Graz's main square to commemorate the victims and people.

commemoration in Vienna and support for relatives

As soon as the grief for the victims of the amoclauf had laid out, further events followed. On Wednesday there was a prayer in St. Stephen's Cathedral, in which several hundred people took part. This was another sign of solidarity. Dances and music provided a special atmosphere of memory, while Caritas and the young church of the Archdiocese of Vienna organized the event. Caritas-Vienna boss Klaus Schwertner spoke of a sign of solidarity for the relatives of the victims.

A total of 3,000 candles were offered on this day, and participants in the actions lit white candles, which they then set up on St. Stephen's Cathedral. "The incident made me very affected," said a 24-year-old Viennese. In the St. Stephen's Cathedral, pastoral gauge had time for discussions, and it was possible to leave messages of compassion and grief.

Help for relatives of crime victims

However, the support does not end with the memorial events. The "White Ring" provides information about the claims of relatives on cost reimbursement and compensation for pain and suffering. Near relatives, such as the nuclear family and partner, can apply for support for psychotherapy and further assistance with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Measures such as crisis intervention and rehabilitation are also intended to provide the affected people the necessary help.

The events in Graz and the subsequent commemoration formats clearly show that cohesion and compassion are more important than ever in difficult times. As the events and statements from the various faith communities and political circles illustrate, a clear and common path is followed in Austria to share and process grief.

For more information on the memorial events and support offers see the articles of orf.at , Oe24.at and ots.at .