Religious leaders across Texas issued responses Monday to the mass murder carried out in a Baptist church Sunday afternoon, calling for believers to fall to their knees in prayer for the victims, the survivors and their families.
Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, has been identified as the person who walked in to the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Sunday and opened fire on the congregation, killing 26 and injuring another 20. More than a dozen of the slain are believed to be children.
The Southern Baptist Convention, of which FBC Sutherland was a member, released the following statement Monday urging prayer and counseling for the children in the community as well as for the friends and relatives of the victims.
Our hearts are heavy for the people of the Sutherland Springs community in the aftermath of the tragedy at First Baptist Church Sunday morning, November 5th, 2017. We acknowledge that this is an act of senseless evil and we lean on the grace that is ours in Christ Jesus for healing, peace and hope. The SBTC is currently assessing needs. We will stand with First Baptist Church and with the community of Sutherland Springs in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. We are one body. One family.
Several SBTC-trained chaplains were on the scene only hours after the event and are still present. Several others are on their way. Plans are being made for medium to long term assistance. Please return to this page frequently for our most up to date information on how to pray and how to help. We are in the process of developing a link to make financial donations.
Pray for Sutherland from SBTC Videos on Vimeo.
Bishop Michael F. Olson, the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued pastoral responses Monday to the mass murder Sunday in Sutherland Springs.
The unedited statements from both Bishop Olson and then the conference appear below with Olson's remarks first.
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I would like to reaffirm what my brother bishops of Texas and I said earlier regarding the horrible and violent crime perpetrated against Christians at prayer at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Sutherland Springs, Texas. “We must pray for wisdom and courage, to do what we can to stand against violence and for life. With charity and peace in our hearts, we must firmly resolve to prevent senseless violence. Otherwise, we make a mockery of our professed desire to build a culture of life and to renounce this world’s culture of death.”
I am asking Catholics of the Diocese of Fort Worth and people of good will to join with me in praying for those killed and wounded and their surviving families, their friends and neighbors and for the perpetrator’s family traumatized by this sinful act of hatred. Let’s pray also for the first responders and those who came to their aid in the face of this grave injustice.
Besides prayer, I’d also ask for our concerted and renewed efforts to promote greater respect for the integrity of law as necessary for the common good and peace of our society. As Blessed Pope Paul VI stated on the World Day of Peace on January 1, 1972, “If you want peace, work for justice.” We must not let violent and evil actions deter us from our moral obligation and right to gather as people of faith to worship God in peace and charity for all.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops also released a statement -- it can be read below.
The Catholic bishops of Texas express their deep sadness for the loss of life at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday. Their full statement follows:
Our hearts ache for those suffering from the terrible loss of life at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Nov. 5. We open our hands and hearts for these families in this moment of terrible tragedy. We should all fall on our knees in prayer in this moment of disaster.
As Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller so eloquently wrote, “These Baptist brethren are our family, friends and neighbors who live among us in the archdiocese; just minutes away from our Wilson County parishes of Sacred Heart in Floresville, St. Ann in La Vernia, and St. Mary in Stockdale. We are committed to work in unity with all our brothers and sisters to build peace in our communities; to connect in a more direct and substantial way. The Catholic Church in Texas and across the United States is with you.”
We must pray for wisdom and courage, to do what we can to stand against violence and for life. With charity and peace in our hearts, we must firmly resolve to prevent senseless violence. Otherwise, we make a mockery of our professed desire to build a culture of life and to renounce this world’s culture of death. As Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston wrote as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, “A Culture of Life cannot tolerate, and must prevent, senseless gun violence in all its forms. May the Lord, who Himself is Peace, send us His Spirit of charity and nonviolence to nurture His peace among us all.”
May God have mercy on all and may the souls of the departed rest in peace.
