Excerpts from an article
from the Jesuit magazine, America[1]:
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops, condemned the “violence and hatred” playing out at a gathering
of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va., saying that U.S. bishops “stand
with all who are oppressed by evil ideology” and joining their “voices to all
those calling for calm.”
A group describing themselves as part of the “alt-right”
gathered in Charlottesville this weekend, some carrying Nazi paraphernalia and
chanting anti-Semitic remarks through the streets. The rally turned violent
when a car plowed into a crowd of people who were protesting a rally, which was
held by white nationalists who oppose the removal of a statue of Confederate
Gen. Robert E. Lee by the City of Charlottesville. Officials say one person was
killed and at least 26 were treated at local hospitals.
“The abhorrent acts
of hatred on display in Charlottesville are an attack on the unity of our
nation and therefore summon us all to fervent prayer and peaceful action,” the
cardinal said in a statement released late Saturday afternoon.
“We also stand ready to work with all people of goodwill for
an end to racial violence and for the building of peace in our communities,” he
continued.
Cardinal DiNardo, the archbishop of Galveston-Houston, also
offered “prayers for the family and loved ones of the person who was killed and
for all those who have been injured.”
Meanwhile, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of the Diocese of
Richmond, which includes Charlottesville, released
a statement on Saturday condemning the violence.
“In the last 24 hours, hatred and violence have been on
display in the City of Charlottesville. I earnestly pray for peace,” he said,
quoting a prayer for peace commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.
“I pray that those men and women on both sides can talk and
seek solutions to their differences respectfully,” the statement continued.
“The love of Jesus Christ is the most powerful weapon against hatred. Only the
light of Christ can quench the torches of hatred and violence. Let us pray for
peace.”
The Archdiocese of Washington, located about 100 miles north
of the rally, tweeted,
“Lord, show us new ways in which hatred can be left behind, wounds healed, and
unity restored. Amen.”
Local clergy gathered
in Charlottesville to voice opposition to the rally
and other religious leaders took to social media to condemn racism in light of
the rally:
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