In Response to the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
BY ISN STAFF | May 25, 2022
In response to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, we offer resources on gun violence and Catholic teaching on this issue. (NOTE: This list is not exhaustive)
This resource was initially developed in 2012 after the horrific shootings at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and updated in 2018 after the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe High School in Texas.
We are heartbroken, fearful, angry, and weary as we grapple with the continued epidemic of gun violence in the U.S., particularly as we are again horrified by the loss of children’s lives, and in the wake of this month’s shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Woods, CA.
As a network of individuals and institutions committed to justice and peace, we join the entire country in our outrage that our nation has not committed itself to ending such tragedy and horror, and in praying for the victims, their families, and those responsible— and for hope that we can collectively take action to reduce gun violence.
As stated by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2019, we clearly and firmly believe that the following policies are key tools to mitigating the epidemic of gun violence:
- A ban on assault weapons;
- Universal background checks;
- A federal gun trafficking bill;
- Regulations on sales of handguns;
- Improved mental health interventions;
- Safety measures; and
- An honest assessment of violent images and experiences in our society.
Join the with members of the Ignatian family and broader Catholic network worldwide in telling President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Senators to take definitive action to end gun violence.
Statements and Letters:
From the statement of San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, regarding the Uvalde elementary school shooting in the Diocese of San Antonio:
“There are no words to adequately convey the deep sadness and sorrow and overwhelming shock at the incomprehensible loss of life of 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Tuesday afternoon at the hands of a young gunman…These massacres cannot be considered “the new normal.” The Catholic Church consistently calls for the protection of all life; and these mass shootings are a most pressing life issue on which all in society must act — elected leaders and citizens alike. We pray that God comfort and offer compassion to the families of these little ones whose pain is unbearable.”
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Bishop Chairmen Call for Congressional Action to Address Gun Violence (6/3/2022)
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Statement of USCCB on School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas (5/24/22)
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Pope prays for Texas shooting victims, calls for stricter gun laws (Catholic News Service, 5/25/22)
- Statement of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas (5/24/22)
- Sr. Norma Pimentel, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (5/24/22)
- Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago (5/24/22)
- Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (5/24/22)
- Bishop Seitz, Diocese of El Paso (5/24/22)
- NETWORK Lobby (5/24/22)
- Sr. Helen Prejean (5/24/22)
- Bishop Flores, Diocese of Brownsville (5/25/22)
- Fr. James Martin, S.J. (5/25/22)
- Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr., President of the National Black Catholic Congress (5/25/22)
- Pastoral Statement: Confronting a Culture of Violence – A Catholic Framework for Action (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1994)
Articles:
- Shootings Demonstrate Need for Gun Control, USCCB Says (Catholic News Agency, 11/7/17)
- Gun control: Church firmly, quietly opposes firearms for civilians (U.S. Catholic, 1/14/11)
- Catholic Bishops Favor Gun Control But Who Knows It? (National Catholic Reporter, 1/11/11)
Resources:
- Backgrounder on a Mercy and Peacebuilding Approach to Gun Violence (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Prayer and Reflection Resources:
- Prayer: Let the Shooting End (Sisters of Mercy)
- A prayer in the wake of gun violence (Fr. James Martin, S.J., 2019)
- How Many Signs? (Ignatian Solidarity Network, 2018)
- Sad, Tired and Angry: A Prayer in the Face of Gun Violence (America Magazine, 2017)
- An Ignatian Prayer for Peace (Canisius College Campus Ministry)
- The Mystery of Pain, the Solace of Faith – A reflection by Fr. Jim Martin, S.J. on the tragedy in Newtown (New York Daily News, 2012)
- Would Jesus Pack Heat? – An interview with Fr. James Martin, S.J. (USA Today, 2012)
- Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue (America Magazine, 2012)
To the Politicians: Get effective Gun Legislation done — or get out of Office.
Its not about strict gun laws, its the evil person behind it.
The devil is loose in our Nation.
Yeah take away our right our 2nd amendment to law abiding citizens and how are we gonna defend ourselves. A criminal doesn’t care about laws, Government take your Guns so the can come and control you!.. Thats how they’ve dontbit in communiat countries. Disarm the people and they can’t defend themselves.
Pray for our Nation Pray for this Young, youth ,more morals and values.
We must end gun violence.
As a nation, we have to have a courage to take action
(1) pray for gun shooting victim
(2) ask our government make more strict law for own guns
thanks for information
Non-violence is the weapon of the strong.
What an interesting post! States is not the only location where mass shootings occur; instead, it is the only place where gun massacres continue to happen without a concerted effort by society as a whole to solve, or even confront, the problem. A nation that can’t keep its children safe in schools, in my opinion, is a failed state.
That’s very sad, must be overcome these types of violation..