COMMISSION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATEMENT
 
October 2, 2017
 
Today as we of different faith traditions mourn the tragic violence in Las Vegas, we echo the words of the Psalmist, “Hear my prayer O Lord; Listen to my cry for help.†(Psalm 39:12)  We cannot remain silent as innocent lives are taken from us and thus refuse to accept what some call “the new normal†in our society.  Too often following mass shootings, we express our words of condolence and return to “business as usual”.
 
We know that our country has divided views on the availability of firearms, but such differences should not stop us from having a serious debate in confronting these increasing atrocities.  We will not find a solution without talking to one another.
 
We offer prayers from our faith traditions for the victims and their families.  We express profound gratitude to those courageous police officers who risked their lives as they attempted to save lives.  Let us also promise to work together as one country and find constructive answers to these acts of violence.  We cannot do it apart from one another, but we may if we stand with one another.
 

His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archdiocese of New York
 
Rev. Dr. A. R. Bernard, Sr.
Christian Cultural Center
Christian Community Relations Council
 
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik
New York Board of Rabbis
 
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Lim
Commission of Religious Leaders

 

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