Bishop Stika issues statement on recent shootings

Bishop Richard F. Stika of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville has issued the following statement regarding the recent shootings in our nation:

Once again, our nation is mourning the senseless shooting deaths of innocent people  — among them a police officer who was attempting to save the lives of others.  

On Monday, nine people innocently entered a market in Boulder, Colorado to shop or perhaps to receive a vaccine. In an instant, a violent act has now ended ten lives. Among the innocent victims was Officer Eric Talley, who gave his own life to protect and serve his community. Perhaps he and the other victims told their loved ones that they would be home for dinner last night. 

The violence didn’t just take the lives of ten people. So many others have now been impacted in profound and, unfortunately, devastating ways. The families and friends of the victims will now mourn, and their pain and fears will be felt for their entire lives.  

Last week, in Atlanta, just south of the Diocese of Knoxville, eight innocent people were killed, and again countless lives have been affected. We also remember that just a few years ago violence took the lives of innocent individuals in a mass shooting in Chattanooga. 

In recent weeks, Knoxville itself has witnessed the violent shooting deaths of innocent young people. 

A dark cloud hangs over our badly divided nation. With mass murders, immigrants being used as political pawns, the scourge of unlimited abortion, racism, broken families, and so-called mercy killings, there is a sense of dehumanizing isolation that prevents us from seeing and respecting each other. Regrettably, there is much more that is destroying this country of so much potential.

Over and over, we hear people remind us to pray for the victims. This is true, but we must also pray for our nation and be active in helping it to heal and grow. We cannot just look at others. We must also look within ourselves and recognize that if we promote division and turn the other way when we see the darkness of evil, we aren’t doing as Jesus asked. We must genuinely be willing to bring peace to this broken world.

On this day, we remember the people and victims of violence in Boulder, Atlanta, Knoxville, and other suffering communities, and for the victims of violence everywhere. And we pray that our leaders will take action to do something about it.