Canadian archbishop mourns victims of deadly attack during Filipino heritage festival

A Canadian archbishop expressed sadness over the deadly attack during a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, lamented how a joyful gathering of Filipinos for Lapu-Lapu Day “has been overshadowed by sorrow and shock.”

“The Filipino community is a vibrant and faith-filled part of our Archdiocese. In moments like this, your spirit of hope, resilience, and deep trust in God’s providence shines even amid darkness,” he said in a statement.

At least 11 people were killed after an SUV rammed through a crowd of people celebrating the annual Lapu-Lapu Day in Vancouver on April 27.

Canadian prosecutors have charged 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo with eight counts of second-degree murder, with “further charges” anticipated as per the Vancouver police.

Official reports said that Lo has a “significant history” of interactions with authorities involving mental health. His actions were also confirmed as non-related to acts of terrorism.

Those who perished were aged between five and 65 years old, with around two dozen more people seriously injured.

“I encourage all of us to come together in prayer, asking the Lord to pour out his mercy upon those affected and to grant strength to all who are carrying heavy hearts,” said Archbishop Miller.

Moreover, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also sent his condolences regarding the tragedy.

“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident during a Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, BC, Canada,” he said in a statement.

“[First Lady] Liza [Marcos] and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada,” he added.

Furthermore, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney took to Twitter to express solidarity with the victims’ families.

“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter. Those families are now living every family’s nightmare. I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you,” he wrote.

Lapu-Lapu Day was officially recognized by the government of British Columbia in 2023 to recognize the significant cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, one of the largest immigrant groups in Canada.

This day remembers the triumph of the Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain in the Visayan region of the Philippines, against the first Spanish colonizers who arrived in the country led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.