By Jennifer WangFriday 24 Oct 2014Open House InterviewsChristian LivingReading Time: 2 minutes
It was the news that shocked Canada, and the world. On October 22 in Ottawa, a lone gunman shot an unarmed Canadian soldier at the Canadian National War Memorial, crossed the road and entered Parliament Building where a gunfight erupted.
The shooter, identified by police as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, fatally shot Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Zehaf-Bibeau was then shot and killed inside Parliament by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers.
The day after the shooting attack, Parliament resumed and Mr Vickers received a thunderous ovation as he led the traditional parade that opens every House session.
Listen: The Revd Paul Donison and Bill Stevens in Ottawa, Open House
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As the residents of Canada’s capital continue with their day-to-day lives in the aftermath of the shooting attack, Open House host Dwayne Jeffries spoke with two men at the centre of helping the city recover from this traumatic event.
The Reverend Paul Donison, Rector at St Peter and St Paul’s Anglican Church in Ottawa, says he was locked inside Church for hours during the attack as the city was in lockdown.
“We were told to lock the doors and windows,” Paul says, “it was terrifying – something like 30 shots fired within our own Parliament, it was violating."
Bill Stevens, General Manager of CHRI 99.1FM says their family radio station was inundated with callers asking for and offering prayer.
“As people of faith, it's amazing how we pray together and it helps us push the fear back,” Bill says.
Paul’s thoughts have also turned to how he will address the shooting attack during church services over the coming weekend, saying, “our goal is to speak the gospel over this situation and have an honest place to discuss what's happened.”
Paul and Bill have asked Christians in Australia to Pray for Ottawa:
- Pray for the Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s friends and family
- Pray for Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s family
- Pray for Canada’s leaders to grow in wisdom and unity
- Pray for the first responders to have peace, courage and faith