Bishop Walkowiak Addresses Weekend Shootings

The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications issues the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, in response to several recent mass shootings occurring in the U.S.:
Once again, this weekend, we have witnessed the senseless loss of innocent life in multiple shootings across the country. Please join me in praying for all of the families and communities impacted by these tragedies.
Details from news reports about the shooting in Buffalo, New York, point to this tragedy being racially motivated. Acts and attitudes of racism are sinful and they reveal a failure, a failure to acknowledge the value and dignity of the members of our human family; failure to see in each one of our neighbors the brother or sister that Christ calls us to love and serve.
The Church has a tremendous responsibility to encourage dialogue and heal tensions associated with the racism in our communities, our nation, and our world. I ask the Catholic community in West Michigan to join me in prayer and in working toward a society where we recognize each other as a child of God in word and action. May the risen Christ strengthen us in this mission and sustain us in hope.