Diocese Responds To Boy's Death As Plainfield Church Plans Holy Hour To Pray For Peace

PLAINFIELD, IL — St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish in Plainfield will host a Holy Hour Tuesday night to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East, and the Diocese of Joliet is reacting to the slaying of a 6-year-old Plainfield Township boy in what police are calling a hate crime targeting their Muslim faith.

The church, off Route 59, announced it would hold the hour of prayer at 7 p.m. in conjunction with the day of prayer and fasting called for by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who serves as the head of Latin Catholics living in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus.

"This is the area of the world where our Savior walked the earth, and we can do no less than to pray for a meaningful and lasting peace that addresses the needs of all people in that region," St. Mary leaders said in a memo about the event.

Church leaders did not say if the Holy Hour was planned in connection to the death of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian-American boy who prosecutors said was stabbed to death Saturday by his family's landlord at their home in Plainfield Township. His mother, 32-year-old Hanan Shaheen, was stabbed more than a dozen times and is expected to survive after she was hospitalized in serious condition.

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When asked for comment, a parish spokesperson pointed Patch to the Diocese of Joliet's statement:

The entire Diocese of Joliet faith community offers our prayers and condolences for Wadea Al-Fayoume, his family and friends, and all those affected by his death. As facts of this tragedy unfold, we also hold his mother Hanaan Shahin in our prayers for healing from her injuries. As a society, let us strive to reject hatred and violence in all forms, and look for ways to promote justice, peace, and healing for all.

Plainfield government officials are also hosting their own vigil Tuesday night to honor Wadee's life and "categorically reject hate and bigotry," Patch reported. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Activity and Recreation Center, 24450 W. Renwick Road.

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• Muslim Community Responds To Plainfield Township 6-Year-Old's Killing

Editor's note: Patch spelled Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen's names based on the spelling in Will County court documents.