Watch CBS News

NH Bishop: James Foley's Murder 'Unspeakable Evil'

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS/AP) — The bishop of New Hampshire's Roman Catholic diocese calls the murder of journalist James Foley evidence of an "unspeakable evil that is rampant and inhuman."

Bishop Peter Libasci of Manchester said prayers for Foley must accompany "a sorrowful mother, a grieving father, a deeply pained family and countless friends who have kept vigil all this time."

Diane Foley
James Foley's mother Diane (WBZ-TV)

Libasci also encouraged people to pray "for those who have embraced the way of darkness and death," that they may turn away from it.

Foley, of Rochester, was abducted in November 2012 while covering the Syrian conflict.

On Tuesday, a video showed his execution by a member of the Islamic State.

Though Foley's mother Diane declined to speak on camera, she spoke briefly with reporters on Wednesday outside her home and said they can only pray to be as brave as her son.

Father Paul Gousse, the pastor for the Foley family, said he is working with them as they grieve.

"There's nothing I can say that is going to make sense of any of this. Because you can't make sense of insanity," said Gousse.

Diane Foley said in a Facebook statement that her son and other hostages are innocents with no control over government policy.

"She hugged me. She said 'please pray for me that I don't become bitter. I don't want to hate,'" Gousse said of his conversation with Diane Foley.

Watch: Foley Family Pastor: 'You Can't Make Sense Of Insanity'

Many are mourning Foley's death, including members of New Hampshire's congressional delegation and Gov. Maggie Hassan.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.