The method used to disarm terrorism should not show a callous disregard for human life, Cardinal Desmond Connell said in a strongly worded homily yesterday.
The Mass of Remembrance and Reconciliation at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin was the main focus of religious services throughout the State. Prayers were said for the US victims and their families at other services of all denominations.
The Mass was attended by the President, Mrs McAleese; the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern; Alderman Maurice Ahern, representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin; the US ambassador to Ireland, Mr Richard Egan and his wife, Maureen; and Mgr Guido Pecorari, representative of the Apostolic Nunciature.
Members of the US embassy staff, Diplomatic Corps, the Irish America Society, and the defence and security forces were also present. There, too, were the people of Dublin, including many families with young children, who gathered in their hundreds and filled the cathedral.
During the Mass, a quiet organ voluntary included the hymn Amazing Grace interspersed with musical phrases from the US National Anthem.
In his homily, the cardinal said: "Irish people have lived with terrorism for more than 30 years. The field of operations has been north of the Border, although Dublin had its days of terror as well.
"That is one reason why the people of Ireland have been so deeply moved by what happened in the US on Tuesday. Our fellow-feeling with the American people is all the stronger on account of the family kinship that binds us together."
He condemned terrorism as a great evil. He said it struck without warning, discrimination or regard for the suffering and often unbearable torture it inflicted on innocent people.
"Terrorism is cowardly, cynical and base. It must be disarmed. But the method employed should not be allowed to contract the infection of callous disregard for human life," the cardinal said.
One of the questions about what had happened in the past few days was how anyone could inflict such terrible suffering on others.
"We know that those who become obsessed with a cause, whatever that cause may be, bring themselves to treat others, whom they choose to regard as their enemies or tools, as somehow faceless, anonymous, without any personal identity. Only this can explain their utter heartlessness and cruelty towards innocent people and their reckless disregard for the sanctity of human life," he said.
The cardinal said we watched the impact on families, stunned by the cruel loss of a dear one or struggling with fear for a family member now missing.
When the Mass ended, a crowd of several hundred waited for over half an hour for the President and other dignitaries to leave the Pro-Cathedral house.
When the President appeared at the door, there was spontaneous loud applause. She stopped briefly to speak to members of the crowd.