Violence in politics serves no legitimate purpose. It is used to intimidate, coerce, and silence the voices of opposition. The “othering” of individuals and groups, threats of violence and the pardoning of violent acts heightens divisions and dilutes the rule of law. This damages our democracy.
The world is on the brink of a potentially devastating event as Iran and Israel carry out military attacks that have now involved civilian populations.
And now U.S. military involvement is being considered in a stunningly public and casual manner, in front of TV cameras, with little to no mention of the use of diplomatic channels.
This cavalier attitude towards a possible U.S. role in an escalating conflict is the terrifying outcome of the current environment that gives license to acts of violence and threats of violence, notably towards public figures and elected leaders.
We grieve the killings of Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the attack on another state legislator and his wife, the arson attack on the residence of the governor of Pennsylvania, the murder of two young diplomats in Washington, D.C., and the attempts on President Donald Trump last summer during the election campaign.
If we want to be a people who live out the Gospel call to be peacemakers, we must profess a litany of peace, not a litany of acts of violence.
We, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, strive to practice nonviolence in our own lives, and we pray for wisdom for elected officials to lead, in word and deed; that they will seek diplomatic solutions, to show all that there is another path: The path of dialogue, the path of dignity and respect, and the path to peace.