In grieving Texas town, faith sustains

Joe Holcombe and his wife, Claryce, lost eight members of their family in the Texas church shooting last Sunday, including their son, grandchildren, a pregnant granddaughter-in-law and a great- granddaughter who was still a toddler. But they are serene.

"It's just not a problem to us," said Holcombe, 86, adding that he and 84-year-old Claryce believe their dead family members are now in heaven.

The Holcombes were upbeat and full of good humour during a telephone interview, and they are not an exception in this deeply evangelical part of Texas.

What is so striking about relatives and friends of the 26 victims of the church shooting in tiny Sutherland Springs is that they all believe good will come from this act of evil and that their loved ones are now safe with God.

Psychologists say such deep faith can help families deal with ghastly events but warn religious beliefs can stunt the natural grieving period and result in post-traumatic stress later.

"I can see potentially it could be some form of denial, a delayed traumatic reaction, and if you don't have some kind of negative feelings, it can catch up with you," said clinical psychologist and trauma expert Bethany Brand.

Local veterinarian George Hill, a relative of the Holcombes, said an evangelical belief in Christ was the only way to deal with such a tragedy. "We haven't lost hope," he said. "They are not gone. They are just gone ahead. And we know we'll see them again."

The dead include Bryan Holcombe, Joe and Claryce Holcombe's son, and his wife Karla. Their son Danny Holcombe was killed as well, along with his 18-month-old daughter, Noah. Crystal Holcombe, who was 18 weeks pregnant, was Bryan and Karla Holcombe's daughter-in-law.

Also shot and killed were Emily, Megan and Greg Hill, three children from Crystal's first marriage, which had ended with her husband's death.

Under Texas law, Crystal's unborn child is also being counted as a victim, making a death toll of nine for the family.