Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith Responds to Alexandria Shooting
Washington National Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith Responds to Alexandria Shooting
Cathedral Issues a Prayer for Representatives, Law Enforcement Injured During the Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 14, 2017) In response to the shots fired on Republican lawmakers on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, while they were conducting baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral, issued the following statement:
Our hearts are heavy today after a gunman opened fire in Alexandria, Va., as a group of Republican lawmakers were practicing for a baseball game. We pray especially for House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was shot, and the other aides and Capitol police officers who were injured.
With gratitude, we lift up the Capitol police officers and first responders who prevented a horrible situation from getting worse. These brave men and women are American patriots who put their lives at risk to secure the safety of others.
Today’s shooting is yet another troubling reminder that our nation faces an epidemic of gun violence. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, which compels us to pursue commonsense strategies to protect our fellow citizens. Our challenge is to engage in that work openly and honestly, avoiding the temptation to see such tragedies only through the lens of competing left vs. right political ideologies.
Despite the attention of today’s shooting, we must never forget the 93 Americans who die each day from gun violence. Most of these deaths receive no attention, no wall-to-wall coverage on cable news. Washington National Cathedral is committed to addressing our culture of gun violence, and to stand with the victims and their families.
Today at the Cathedral, we will offer the following prayer at our daily services. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer:
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. We pray for those injured and affected by this morning’s attack on members of Congress in Virginia. We ask your blessing on all members of Congress. And we commend to your gracious care those in law enforcement who risk their lives protecting others. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.
Media interested in arranging an interview with the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith should contact Natalie Longwell at [email protected] or (202) 765-8584.
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Washington National Cathedral is a house of prayer for all people called to serve as a spiritual home for the nation. It seeks to be a catalyst for spiritual harmony in our nation, reconciliation among faiths, and compassion in our world. Learn more at www.cathedral.org.