In Boulder, Colo., a shooter killed 10 people in a King Soopers
grocery store March 22. In Atlanta, a shooter targeting spas killed eight
people, including six Asian women, March 16. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
expressed his sorrow over the mass shootings in a March 23 statement.
“The recent, tragic killings in Atlanta and Boulder, Colo., fill
us with profound sadness and grief,” he said. “These horrific events destroy
the most precious of gifts — that of human life and peace. They call our
attention, again, to our constant need for God’s love and his divine assistance
in our lives and throughout our world. He is the One alone who can transform
hearts from hatred to love and fill our world with the peace and unity for
which we long.
“We pray for the families of the victims and the larger
communities as they grieve, asking the Lord to give them strength, peace and
healing, especially at this time. We are united in prayer for all victims of
violence as we ask God to embrace them in his infinite care.
“In the face of hate and loss, may we renew our resolve to pray
daily for the protection of all human life and the dignity of each and every
human person. May the Lord give us the grace to live in harmony as God’s holy
family and as brothers and sisters in Christ.”
