I ask that at each Sunday Mass this weekend that prayers be offered for the victims and the families of the tragedy that took place at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I ask that you encourage our faithful to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ with spiritual support, concern and comfort. This event at which Christians who had gathered for Bible study and prayer were slaughtered in their church horrifies us and rips at our hearts and souls. Unfortunately, it reminds us that violence, hatred and prejudice simmer in our society. As Catholics, we need to distance ourselves from those sinful expressions.
May the dead rest in peace and all who mourn them be comforted by our prayers for them and strengthened by faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. May our society with the encouragement of our church seek solutions to violence in all its ugly forms.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan