in Message
A message from Bishop Miller in response to the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio
Dear Friends in Christ,
Seven years ago today, the community of Oak Creek, the town in which I now live, was rocked by violence born of hate. Tonight I will join with others in our community to pray for those who were killed this past weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio as well as those killed at the Sikh Temple seven years ago and call on our elected officials at both the federal and state level to enact sane and reasonable gun laws such as universal background checks, a ban on assault rifles and high capacity magazines, and to require all gun manufactures to embrace smart gun technology.
These mass shootings are only one aspect of an increasingly violent society. There are many others. Each points to despair, hopelessness, and rage which have infected so many and that some have exploited for personal and political gain.
In the midst of this, we are called to live in and embrace the Shalom of God, that peace which passes all human understanding and lives in sure and certain hope that violence will never have the last word.
I would invite you to join me in praying daily the prayer of Blessed Francis, found on page 833 of the Book of Common Prayer. I also ask you to share this prayer with others and invite them to join you in being an agent of peace.
Bishop Steven A. Miller