Home

United in God’s Love, Message on the Events in Dallas

The Archdiocese of the Western USA offers prayers for peace in the USA while condemning acts of violence in recent days that have shocked the nation and people around the world in general and United Stated in particular.

Two recent fatal police shootings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota once again prompted grief and heartbreak for the endemic racial violence present in the USA. Subsequently, during a protest in Dallas, gunman opened fire on police officers in the heart of the south-central US city, killing five officers and injuring nine others during protests.

In light of these tragic events in Dallas, we mourn the death of the five police officers and offer our prayers for all the victims, including those who received various injuries during the rally.

Condemning racism, discrimination, and hatred of all sorts, we invoke God’s mercy, love, and peace.

In this difficult time for our nation, let us refrain from intense arguments, incriminations, and justifications. Rather, let us dwell in God’s love and obedience as expressed in the Holy Scriptures. As St. Paul the apostle puts it so eloquently, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.”
Romans 13:1-4

Again we express our sorrow and hope that escalating racial tensions and violence will abate. We pray that all of us might be catalysts for change as the church works against racism and discrimination that is the root cause for anger and, unspeakable violence. We must come together globally and continue our movement as God’s people, giving hope to vulnerable people, people who have lost loved ones, people who are increasingly afraid in their daily lives.