Today, during the first week of the school year, as children at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis gathered for Mass, a gunman opened fire through the windows of the Church. Two young children were killed and many more were injured; some are in critical condition. The gunman took his own life.
The education of children has always been central to our mission as Sisters of Mercy. Many of our sisters have spent their lives in classrooms and have formed young minds, hearts and souls. We deeply grieve today’s actions.
Our response can no longer be “thoughts and prayers” alone.
Children were literally praying during the attack.
Our Critical Concern of nonviolence underlies our lives and ministry as sisters. We must address this culture of violence with a culture of love. As followers of the nonviolent Christ, we continue to advocate for laws that keep weapons out of the hands of those intent on harm. Guns remain the number one killer of our children and teens.
We must act.
The obsession with the gun ownership in the United States has denigrated our ability to respect the image of God and human dignity of all persons. We call on our lawmakers and all persons of goodwill to work towards and pray for an end to violence.