The Bishops of the Diocese of North Carolina Respond to the Texas School Shooting

By Diocesan House

It’s hard to know what to say after today’s events in Santa Fe, Texas. The third school shooting in eight days. The 22nd this year.

Perhaps there is nothing new to say, but that means only we know what we must do.

We must continue.

We must continue to pray for the victims, their families, friends, school staff, first responders, city officials and everyone else affected. Pray for the students who took this devastating action and whose motives we don’t yet know.

We must continue to come together, not only to comfort and support one another, but to remind others that only through the love of our Lord Jesus can we shift the current climate of violence and anger to one of love and reconciliation.

We must continue to work for a system that allows children to feel safe when they go to school and a society to feel protected from extremes in the face of anger and distress. We may not know every step that work entails, but we must ensure we figure it out, whether here in North Carolina or when we meet as a Church at the 79th General Convention in July.

All of these things are part of the work we do every day, and we must continue that work and never think our efforts are in vain. Every time we refuse to give up, it is one more time we take a step forward toward a better world, however small. Every time we refuse to cede our faith’s teachings to anger, it is a reaffirmation of our faith. It is in our faith and in our work that hope resides, and it is in hope the love of Jesus thrives and grows. It is up to us to nurture that hope, share that love and never let either of them go.

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom we pray. Remember them, Lord, in mercy; nourish them with patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.