The Christian Council stands united in grief and strong condemnation of the gun violence that has robbed our communities of peace and security and has resulted in the continual loss of life. We denounce violence in every form—the perpetration of evil and the disruptive practices that threaten the very fabric of our society.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones mourning during this time of bereavement. We pray that God may comfort and strengthen them. Indeed, our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we join the nation in mourning the tragic and senseless loss of life, and in prayer for the healing of those injured.
The horror of the recent triple murder has shaken us to our core. Yet, even in the face of such darkness, we urge the nation to hold fast to hope in Christ, who reminds us in John 16:33:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
We affirm that life is sacred, and we must work tirelessly to uphold its dignity.
Every life lost to violence is a heartbreaking wound to our society and a direct offense against God’s call for love, compassion, and justice. As followers of Christ, we reject the culture of fear and destruction. Instead, we call for a renewed commitment to peace—peace in our hearts, our homes, and our streets.
Even as we lament this tragedy, we must all soberly and deeply examine the root causes of such violence within our country. We urge a collective commitment to work collaboratively and decisively toward promoting peace, justice, and well-being for all. The Christian Council pledges to work with the authorities and other stakeholders to help reduce violence in our nation.
Accordingly, we call upon everyone to take concrete steps to address the scourge of gun violence. This includes:
Supporting initiatives that promote peace and non-violence.
Advocating for sustainable strategies that enhance safety and community resilience.
Choosing peace over violence, love over hatred, and justice over destruction.
Teaching love, forgiveness, and respect in our homes, schools, communities, and churches.
Learning and applying intervention and de-escalation strategies to reduce and diffuse conflict.
Mentoring and guiding our youth—especially those who feel disenfranchised, lack direction, or are burdened by hopelessness.
Let us turn to God in fervent prayer for His mercy and guidance to bring about the transformation we desperately need. Through unwavering faith, may God grant our nation healing, wisdom, and the courage to be agents of His peace.
Signed:
Bishop Gerard County – Roman Catholic Church & President of the SVG Christian Council
Bishop C. Leopold Friday – Anglican Church
Rev’d Philbert S. Delaney – Methodist Church
Captain Wilkings Buissereth – Salvation Army