BERLIN — A solemn Mass took place on Sunday to honor the lives of a child and an adult who were lost in a tragic knife attack in Germany, an incident that has reignited discussions around migration in the lead-up to the general election scheduled for February 23.
The ecumenical service convened at the Catholic Basilica of St. Peter and Alexander in Aschaffenburg, located in Bavaria. The Mass paused momentarily as the city’s bells rang to mark the precise moment of the attack, which occurred on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m.
Local officials, including Bavaria’s governor Markus Söder, Aschaffenburg Mayor Jürgen Herzing, and Muslim imam Zischan Mehmood, spoke to the assembled congregation, which included rescue workers, to express their sorrow and disbelief over the tragic events. Additionally, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was in attendance.
In his address, Imam Mehmood emphasized the importance of compassion and unity during such difficult times, stating, “Compassion, solidarity, and cohesion are more important than ever, because there are many dividers and agitators around us. We must never allow grief and pain to tear us apart.”
Governor Söder described the assault as a “senseless, brutal and disturbing crime.” He underscored the notion that morality is not determined by one’s background, saying, “Good and evil are not a question of origin, nationality, ethnicity or faith.” He urged that the killings should not be a cause for division, asserting that “incitement is the wrong answer.”
Prior to the service, both Faeser and Söder placed wreaths at the location of the incident, reflecting the heavy atmosphere surrounding the attack.
This incident holds significant political ramifications just a month before the national election, with migration policy being a critical topic in the campaign. The victims included a two-year-old boy of Moroccan descent, who was part of a group of kindergarten children at the park, and a 41-year-old German man who attempted to intervene and protect the children.
The suspect, a 28-year-old former asylum-seeker from Afghanistan, was apprehended following the attack. Reports indicate that he had previously been ordered to leave Germany, having also undergone psychiatric treatment. Authorities stated there was no immediate evidence suggesting that his actions were driven by extremist motives. He is currently being held in a psychiatric facility, according to German news agencies.
In addition to the fatalities, Bavarian authorities reported that a two-year-old Syrian girl and two adults were wounded during the incident. Fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening, and they have been hospitalized for treatment.