Faith leaders respond to recent mass shootings with prayers—and calls for action
Gilro, California. El Paso, Texas. Dayton, Ohio.
The nation continues to reel in the aftermath of mass shootings in the past week that have left dozens of people dead and wounded and revived national discussions on racism, xenophobia and white supremacy.
In response to the tragedies, religious leaders and groups of all faiths have been calling for thoughts, prayers, as well as action, urging politicians and the government to initiate change. Here’s a sampling of their comments and statements on Twitter.
We Are Salt and Light, a project of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at United States Conference of Catholic Bishop
“Things must change. Once again, we call for effective legislation that addresses why these unimaginable and repeated occurrences of murderous gun violence continue to take place in our communities.”
“We also call upon the President and Congress to set aside political interests and find ways to better protect innocent life,” Cardinal Daniel DiNardo & Bishop Frank J. Dewane following the tragic #DaytonShooting. Read the full statement : https://t.co/pe57TqSLJA pic.twitter.com/i0hETgrVCj
— We Are Salt & Light (@WeAreSaltLight) August 4, 2019
Commissioner David Hudson, the National Commander of The Salvation Army U.S.
As we mourn the victims in El Paso today, I pray for a future in which we can come together as a nation – our politicians, our churches, our business leaders – in a spirit of love and compassion to end this senseless violence and save innocent lives.
— Commissioner Hudson (@natlcommander) August 4, 2019
SALDEF, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
29 people are dead and many more injured in less than 24hrs from mass shootings in El Paso Texas and Dayton Ohio. Both shooters are suspected white supremists.
— SALDEF (@SALDEF) August 5, 2019
Dean Randy Hollerith, Washington National Cathedral
“As a person of faith, prayer is always central to my life, but the act of prayer is not an excuse for the lack of substantive action to address gun violence. If we value the lives lost, do not let these shootings further numb us. Let them drive us to create change and finally take steps to eliminate these mass killings.”
I asked the nation to look inward … I do so again, asking, how long will we tolerate this epidemic of gun violence https://t.co/3Z7TsXyvUL
— Washington National Cathedral (@WNCathedral) August 4, 2019
The Rev Jesse Jackson Sr, Founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition
We pray for the families of the deceased & those who were injured. We live in a very violent climate & many people are heavily-armed. None of us is safe until all of us are safe. #ElPasoShooting #StopTheViolence https://t.co/RbUCUhKgpj pic.twitter.com/d8omYhHk5f
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) August 4, 2019
Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and Senior Pastor of the New Season Christian Worship Center
“We urge our political leaders, Democrat and Republican, to once-and-for-all depoliticize immigration in this country and instead embrace a fact-based approach to this and to all political questions that divide us.”
— Samuel Rodriguez (@nhclc) August 4, 2019
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League
“Yet again we turn our thoughts and prayers to a community grieving after another mass shooting potentially motivated by hate and extremism. But thoughts and prayers are simply not enough.”
We ache for the victims, their families and the entire community of El Paso but thoughts & prayers are inadequate. We need strategies and resources to confront hate and address extremism. Our statement: https://t.co/SvcPcQsGxh
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) August 4, 2019
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA
We are saddened and heartbroken at the new of the horrific and massive loss of innocent lives in El Paso, Texas. Sincere and heartfelt prayers are offered for the victims and their families#ElPasoShooting
— Ahmadiyya Press USA (@AhmadiyyaUSA) August 4, 2019
Louie Giglio, Pastor of Passion City Church and the Founder of the Passion movement
“We are living in troubling times with a troubled generation. I don’t care about political persuasions or agendas—the President must take the lead and bring change. I pray for those who mourn, for all wounded and the for leaders of our nation of all parties. Jesus, help us all.”
// i t ‘ s t i m e //
More young men in their 20’s taking life like it’s nothing. We are living in troubling times with a troubled generation. I don’t care about political persuasions or agendas—the President must… https://t.co/19gMIA0aqj— Louie Giglio (@louiegiglio) August 4, 2019
Dr. Rajwant Singh, co-founder of National Sikh Campaign and founder of EcoSikh
So sad to see another massacre of innocent people by white supremacist while Sikhs and America is marking the 7th anniversary of similar massacre in Sikh Temple in Oak Creek. When will this heinous terrorism stop? ???? #WhiteNationalistTerrorism #ElPasoShooting #OakCreek pic.twitter.com/1H2IGQA0y0
— Rajwant Singh (@DrRajwantSingh) August 4, 2019
The Rev. Jamal H. Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
“The pain is pervasive but at what point do we become proactive.”
Sunday was a wake up call. Members of @newbirthmbc lost two family members in the massacre in #Dayton at the hands of another white supremacist. Family members who have lost loved ones to gun violence came to altar… https://t.co/ZxVzkTsVB6
— jamalbryant (@jamalhbryant) August 5, 2019
A People’s Movement, an interfaith organization representing over 50 congregations throughout Pennsylvania
Following this heartbreaking weekend of gun violence, we are mourning the victims and rising up to take a stand against hate and all forms of gun violence. Join CeaseFirePA, POWER and others on Tuesday, Aug. 6th, 6:30pm in Love Park, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., Phila. Love over hate.
— POWER (@powerinterfaith) August 6, 2019
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