Day 793: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

BUFFALO: A PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF RACISM AND GUN VIOLENCE

God of abundant love, In the aftermath of another horrific act of violence and racism,In which, human lives, sacred and precious, were lost,

We pray for blessing and healing in the Buffalo community.

In a special way we pray for:

Celestine Chaney

Roberta Drury

Andre Mackniel

Katherine Massey

Margus Morrison

Heyward Patterson

Aaron Salter

Geraldine Talley

Ruth Whitfield

Pearl Young

And the three individuals who were injured during the attack. We pray for their loved ones and for all who were present during the attack and who are grappling with its aftermath.

We hold in our hearts all those killed by gun violence and who are victims of racism.

God, wrap your healing love around these individuals and their families and communities, and inspire each of us to act with prophetic love so that racism and violence have no place to grow in this world.

Amen.

IN RESPONSE TO THE SHOOTING IN BUFFALO

BY Ignation Solidarity Network Staff | May 17, 2022

In response to the shooting in Buffalo, New York on Saturday, May 14, 2022, we offer resources (NOTE: this list is not exhaustive) on racism, gun violence, and Catholic teaching on these issues.

As a network of individuals and institutions committed to justice and peace, we join the entire country in praying for the victims, their families, and those responsible, particularly in light of the continued epidemic of racism and gun violence in the U.S.— and for hope that we can collectively work toward a more safe, peaceful, equitable world.

“We unequivocally state that racism is a life issue. Accordingly, we will not cease to speak forcefully against and work toward ending racism. Racism directly places brother and sister against each other, violating the dignity inherent in each person.”

–Open Wide Our Hearts, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Statements and letters:

· Knights of Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary

· “Racism is not pro-life. Racism is not Christian. Racism is not of God. We condemn the evil and racist attacks that occurred in last week’s mass shooting of innocent Black Americans who were simply buying groceries.”

· Statement of Bishop Mark Seitz, Bishop of El Paso, on the Mass Shooting in Buffalo

· “Faith compels us to say no to the rotten forces of racism, no to terror, and no to the mortal silencing of black and brown voices.”

· Statement of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston about the Massacre in Buffalo, NY, on May 14, 2022

· “Of all inhabitants in this country, Black Americans have suffered the most from centuries of slavery, legal and de facto segregation and socio-economic patterns that have burdened their lives up to and including the present.”

· Statement of Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, (Archdiocese of San Antonio) on May 14 shooting at Buffalo supermarket

· “We remain steadfastly opposed to all forms of racism.”

· Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, Archdiocese of St. Louis

· “I am especially troubled by reports that the Buffalo violence was racially motivated. We must pray fervently together that God continues to open and change hearts until we are able to recognize all as our brothers and sisters, each one deserving of dignity, respect and life.”

· President Hurley Calls for Prayers Amid Tops Market Killings (Canisius College, Buffalo, NY)

· “Far from being ‘senseless,’ the killings were sense-filled, with a premeditated malevolence fueled by hate and white supremacy. That the shooter targeted Buffalo and chose to strike on Jefferson Avenue, the spine of our Black community, and at a place that was a point of pride as the only full-service supermarket on the East side, only adds to the horror of the crime.”

· Message from President LeMura on Buffalo Shooting (LeMoyne College)

· “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the crime that took place yesterday in Buffalo and reaffirm my commitment as president of Le Moyne to create an anti-racist and inclusive community that works to undo the conditions that contribute to such events.”

Articles:

· Catholic bishops react to White terrorism attack in Buffalo (Black Catholic Messenger, 2022)

· Bishops condemn mass shooting in Buffalo: We must ‘say no to the rotten forces of racism.’ (American Magazine, 2022)

· Bishops express sorrow, condemn racially motivated shooting in Buffalo (National Catholic Reporter, 2022)

· Racism is an Attack on Human Life, Say U.S. Catholic Bishops (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2018)

Resources:

· Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2018)

· Four Ways for White People to Challenge White Apathy (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2020)

· 21-Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge (Ignatian Solidarity Network)

· Catholic Social Thought and Racism (Education for Justice)

· Responding as Educators to a Culture of Racism (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2020)

· Racial Justice and the Catholic Church (book by Fr. Bryan Massingale)

· Birth of A Movement: Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church (book by Olga Segura)

· The Crucible of Racism: Ignatian Spirituality and the Power of Hope (book by Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J.)

· The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice: A Month of Meditations with Ignatius of Loyola (book by Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J.)

· Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue (America Magazine, 2012)

Prayer and Reflection Resources:

· Buffalo: A Prayer for Victims of Racism and Gun Violence (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2022)

· ‘How long, O Lord?’ Psalm 13 is the cry of black Americans (America Media, 2020)

· Black Lives Matter: A Psalm of Lament and Sorrow (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2020)

· Black Lives Matter: A Psalm of Lament and Anger (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2020)

· VIDEO: Ignatian Prayer Vigil for Lamentation and Racial Justice (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2020)

· Sad, Tired and Angry: A Prayer in the Face of Gun Violence (America Magazine, 2017)