More public concerns voiced by US Bishops since El Paso and Dayton

Bishop Joe Vasquez - Diocese of Austin

US Bishops Concerned About Racism and Xenophobia

In Wake of Weekend Massacre in El Paso, Texas

August 09, 2019 01:46ZENIT StaffConflicts, War, Terrorism

On August 8, 2019, Bishops from three committees at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed their deep concern about racism and xenophobia that apparently motivated this weekend’s massacre in El Paso and that have motivated numerous other recent mass shootings in the United States. The Chairmen called on our elected officials to exert leadership in seeking to heal the wounds that these shootings have caused and to deal with the scourges of racism, xenophobia, and religious bigotry, including refraining from expressing hurtful, painful, and divisive rhetoric that dehumanizes and polarizes people on the basis of their race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, chairman of the Committee on Migration, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice, FL, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Social Development, and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism offered the following comments.

“The tragic loss of life of 22 people this weekend in El Paso demonstrates that hate-filled rhetoric and ideas can become the motivation for some to commit acts of violence. The anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, anti-Muslim, and anti-Semitic sentiments that have been publicly proclaimed in our society in recent years have incited hatred in our communities. Hatred and harsh rhetoric were echoed in the El Paso shooter’s explanation about why he committed this weekend’s shooting, as well as being evident in the motivation of the shooters who attacked the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last year and the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in 2015. We, therefore, renew our call to all to act swiftly to stop using hate-filled language that demeans and divides us and motivates some to such horrific violence. Instead, we ask our leaders and all Americans to work to unite us as a great, diverse, and welcoming people.”

San Antonio Archbishop tells President Trump to stop the hate, then calls Trump poor and weak

Please click the link to Crux in the body of the article below.  But first some thoughts that might get me in trouble but so be it:  The Bishops probably don't need reminding that the folks, especially the most faithful, are still not happy with ya based on the clergy sex abuse scandal and high-up cover-up.  But maybe stuff like this will dull the senses.  I don't see the need to outright call out someone as a hater and then call the man, who does happen to be President, poor and weak.  And many Catholics, certainly more than a few, may also remember the almost total silence towards the President as he tries to strengthen the Pro-Life efforts, at least on abortion, or his many fights on behalf of churches and clergy for religious freedom and liberty.  Nope, he don't talk pretty and some, seeming mighty self-righteous, go to lecturing and name calling.  I'm pretty sure this will not play well in the pews.  Well, we will see, but I find this Archbishops words anything but helpful.

San Antonio archbishop denounces President Trump: ‘President, stop your hatred’

August 07, 2019

» Continue to this story on Crux

CWN Editor's Note: “President stop your hatred,” Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller wrote. “People in the US deserve better.” “President you are a poor man, a very week [sic] man. Stop damaging people. Please!”

The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.

A Monday Morning prayer(and cry for help) from the Concord Pastor

Monday Morning Offering: 8/5

Coffee in the Morning by G. Mendoza

I wonder, Lord, 
how many are the hearts this morning
lined up at your door
with petitions, prayers and cries for help 
as once again your people grieve 
the senseless loss of life,
victims of a killer's gun...

I wonder, Lord, 
how many are the hearts today
questioning how you, our loving God, 
allow such bloodshed, time and time again,
to be the morning headline's cry...

I wonder, Lord, 
how many are the hearts now moved
to take whatever steps they can
to act, to move, to vote 
for any way to end this tragic tale...

I wonder, Lord, 
how my own heart, aggrieved as many others,
will move beyond its muted fear,
giving voice to those whose cries
have been forever silenced...

I trust, Lord, I pray,
that in your mercy and your goodness
you 'll accept the heart I offer you this morning
and give me what I need to do my part
in ending this sad story,
this senseless loss of life,
this nightmare in our souls...

Amen.

A brave and honest Bishop

Here is a very must read column from Philadelphia's Archbishop Charles Chaput who speaks with courage, honesty and common sense:



read:


http://catholicphilly.com/2019/08/archbishop-chaput-column/gilroy-el-paso-dayton-and-columbine/?fbclid=IwAR0TZxS97lfhBra2w3EY2k0bwWaLot3Q2-uDvgb8yFqil8XXNoUDVlOnuFw

This prayer is from our own Archbishop Aymond (New Orleans)

For those who have died from violence in Texas and Ohio, we pray ............🙏🙏

God of peace and love, we lift to you those whose lives were taken in Texas and Ohio. Please give the 29 people eternal-life in your kingdom. To their families and friends, give them consolation and hope in this most painful time. For those recovering, place your healing hand on them. Lord, you call us to peace, and some resort to racism, hatred, violence and disregard for human life.

 Please forgive our human family for our blindness to your call for peace. Give us the wisdom and determination to be instruments of peace. Please give your spirit of conversion to those responsible that recognizing their wrongdoing they may seek your mercy. Lord, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

 We ask this through Christ our Lord and the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

And USCCB responds to shooting in Dayton

President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice Issued a Statement After a Tragic Shooting in Dayton, Ohio

 

August 4, 2019

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, and President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development have issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting last night in Dayton, Ohio.

Full statement follows:

“We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those murdered in Dayton last night. The lives lost this weekend confront us with a terrible truth. We can never again believe that mass shootings are an isolated exception. They are an epidemic against life that we must, in justice, face. God’s mercy and wisdom compel us to move toward preventative action. We encourage all Catholics to increased prayer and sacrifice for healing and the end of these shootings. We encourage Catholics to pray and raise their voices for needed changes to our national policy and national culture as well. We call on all relevant committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to outline a reinvigorated policy agenda and pastoral campaign to address ways we can help fight this social disease that has infected our nation. The Conference has long advocated for responsible gun laws and increased resources for addressing the root causes of violence. We also call upon the President and Congress to set aside political interests and find ways to better protect innocent life.”

Pope Francis prays for "defenseless" US shooting victims

Candles are lit at a Vigil at Pius X Church after a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas  (2019 Getty Images)

POPE

• Pope Francis
• Angelus

Pope Francis at Angelus prays for “defenceless” US shooting victims

The Pope expresses his spiritual closeness and prayers to all those affected by this week’s series of mass shootings in the US.

Pope Francis, following the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Sunday expressed his spiritual closeness to the victims, the wounded and the families affected by attacks, he said had "led to bloodshed in Texas, California and Ohio in the United States.

At least nine people were killed in Ohio, Sunday in the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours.

On Saturday a young man opened fire in a crowded El Paso, Texas, shopping area, leaving 20 dead and many injured.

Just days earlier, a 19-year-old shot and killed three people, including two children, at Northern California's Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Sunday's shooting in Dayton, Ohio was the 22nd mass killing of 2019 in the U.S.

Pope Francis said that all three attacks had targeted "defenceless people".

Following his words, he offered a Hail Mary for the victims.

Read also

04/08/2019

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Pope at Angelus: True treasure is in heaven

Also in his remarks after the Marian Prayer, the Pope recalled the 160^th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé d'Ars, St John Vianney. Pope Francis described him as a model of goodness and charity for all priests.

On this significant occasion the Pope said he “wanted to send a letter to priests throughout the world, to encourage them in fidelity to the mission to which the Lord has called them.”

He added, “may the witness of this humble parish priest, totally dedicated to his people, help to rediscover the beauty and importance of the ministerial priesthood in contemporary society.”