While there is much to say about many things now happening, today our hearts continue to mourn the deaths of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, as well as the 18 additional children and adults who were wounded by gunfire during Mass in Minneapolis. We also mourn for the 36 additional people, including three within the bounds of our diocese, who have been killed in individual acts of gun violence in the United States since Wednesday morning’s shooting. First, we pray for the precious departed souls and those recovering, for their families and friends and communities. We grieve with all of them. Our prayers turn to action as we decry the slaughter and maiming by gun violence that happens daily in our country.
We have spoken out repeatedly, as has The Episcopal Church, against the culture of gun violence and the callous unwillingness of our leaders to enact common sense gun safety laws. Once again, we call upon our government–legislative, executive and judicial branches–to enact, enforce and uphold laws that value the lives of children over the love of money and violence. There are many examples in the world of ways to make this happen.
We also invite all of our communicants to exert pressure for common sense gun safety laws. Details on work happening in the diocese and beyond is easily available here.
In this and in so many other situations of danger and disregard, may God bless and protect the children of this land and of the world as we, the church, work to ensure their safety.
Bishop Sam Rodman
Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Let us lament with all those who are touched by gun violence
Let us lament the shooter’s choice for violence
Let us lament laws that allow violent people easy access to guns
Let us lament our politicians’ unwillingness to work for change
Let us lament with the hearts broken by loss this week
Let us lament all the lives cut short this week
Let us lament, O God, and then let us rise from our knees to work for change
In the name of Christ, the prince of peace.
Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark-King,
Dean, King’s College London
