On Recent Racial Violence

Our faith teaches us that each form of social and cultural discrimination is morally unacceptable and incompatible with God’s design (cf. Catechism, no. 1935). To violently target innocent people on account of their race or ethnicity is a brazen disregard of natural law that violates the dignity of the human person. The inviolable dignity of human life transcends the value of all creation. 

My heart aches for those who were killed and injured during recent occurrences of racial violence across our country. I convey prayerful sympathies to the surviving victims, the family and friends of these victims, and prayers for the repose of the souls of all who lost their lives.  

I urge the Christian faithful throughout Central Texas not only to pray for the conversion of all people to preserve the inherent dignity and value of every human life, but also to speak out against the deleterious effects of racism, violence, hatred, and oppression.  May we hold fast to our faith in Jesus Christ who broke down the dividing wall of hostility and division between us (Ephesians 2:14).