A Call For Prayer And Unity In Response To Deadly Charlottesville Attack

On August 13^th, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, are calling on all people of goodwill to join in prayer and unity today in response to yesterday's violent protest and deadly attack in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Full statement follows:

 As we learn more about the horrible events of yesterday, our prayer turns today, on the Lord's Day, to the people of Charlottesville who offered a counter example to the hate marching in the streets. Let us unite ourselves in the spirit of hope offered by the clergy, people of faith, and all people of good will who peacefully defended their city and country.

We stand against the evil of racism, white supremacy and neo-nazism. We stand with our sisters and brothers united in the sacrifice of Jesus, by which love's victory over every form of evil is assured.  At Mass, let us offer a special prayer of gratitude for the brave souls who sought to protect us from the violent ideology displayed yesterday. Let us especially remember those who lost their lives.  Let us join their witness and stand against every form of oppression.

Prayer for Peace in our Communities

Let us pray . . .

O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness
            no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored.

You have proven that blessings abound
            when we fall on our knees in prayer,
            and so we turn to you in our hour of need.

Surrounded by violence and
            cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required . . .
            “Only to do justice and to love goodness,
            and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8).

Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others.

Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism
            so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities.

Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will.

Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future
            filled with encounter and unity.

Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace
            can we progress toward virtue.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Prayer source: USCCB.org
Image Source: @Letsgomathias on Twitter