U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed yesterday, while speaking on a college campus, leaving his young family without a father and husband.
This deeply troubling act of political violence in the United States comes shortly after shootings in June when Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed, and another official, state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were injured.
Resorting to violence to resolve our political differences has become our daily bread. We must break the cycle.
We also saw another school shooting in Colorado, where two children were injured and the shooter took his own life.
There is no place in the body of Christ where acts of violence are justified. We call on all people of goodwill to commit boldly to nonviolence in word and deed.
The Gospel reminds us to love one another. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)
Democracy demands that we debate and argue, but disagreements must never escalate into irremediable acts. Those who disagree with us are not enemies. We must recognize our common humanity. Blessed are the peacemakers.