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Faith carries Catholics who lost family to 9/11 terror attacks 25 years ago
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In Short: Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, Catholics who lost loved ones continue to find solace in their faith and a special chapel at the Pentagon.
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Catholics who lost family members in the Pentagon bombing continue to find comfort in their faith and a chapel built at the site of the impact. According to reports, the chapel, which opened on the first anniversary of the attack, was constructed directly at the impact site where the hijacked plane crashed, with 184 stainless-steel benches, one for each person who lost their life there.
Connor, a survivor, said he has not walked away from God, unlike some others who lost loved ones on 9/11. Nebbia, another survivor, credits her 12 years of Catholic education and regular Mass attendance for providing her with a strong foundation in faith. Her story is echoed by others who have found solace in their beliefs.
The attacks, led by al-Qaida, left close to 3,000 people dead, including those at the Pentagon. One survivor, whose father was killed days after his ninth birthday, said his son’s faith has helped him to 'become more introspective … and understand what it means to be Catholic … to really embrace God and embrace Jesus.
The chapel serves as a place of reflection and remembrance for those who lost loved ones, providing a space for Catholics to serve in the building and connect with those who continue to be impacted by the tragedy.
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- "It's a privilege to interact with Catholics who serve in that building, many who are in parishes in our diocese," he said.
- The banker suspected the number of lives lost was quickly rising as he frantically tried to call his cousin, a very close relative.
- It was the story of his mother on the day she lost her husband to a terrorist bombing 26 years earlier, at a historic tavern near his Wall Street office.
- 11, 2001, as the United States prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
- The al-Qaida-led attacks in New York and Washington, with a thwarted attempt failing in Pennsylvania, left close to 3,000 people dead.
- 12, would require them to facilitate such deaths for their patients in violation of their faith.