We stand with the U.S.
Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in decrying the homophobic and transphobic mass shooting at Club
Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, on November 19. We grieve for the
five individuals who were killed and the 18 people injured in a space known for
sanctuary and celebration, and on the cusp of the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November
20.
As vowed Women
Religious, Associates, Agrégées, St. Joseph Workers, and partners in mission
who share this charism of unifying love, we name that violent hate crimes do
not happen in isolation. Language, beliefs, and practices that condemn, reject,
target, or blame LGBTQ+ people must be explicitly rejected, particularly by
religious leaders and churches. In the wake of the
2016 Pulse Nightclub mass shooting, the CSSJ family gathered
in solidarity in
Orlando and affirmed the Gospel truth that all people are beloved and made in
God’s image and likeness. All people deserve a life free from violence,
persecution, discrimination, and hateful rhetoric that targets an individual or
group because of their sexuality, race, gender identity, ethnicity, and/or
religion.
We are
called to actively interrupt hateful interactions in daily life and dismantle
the systems that reinforce this rhetoric and violence in society, including
anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that is sweeping across the country.
We must
embody our Gospel charism of unifying love for the healing and transformation
of the world. May we act to transform politics, our church, and our country to
ensure that the dignity of every person is acknowledged, boldly accepted, and
celebrated. Please
take a moment to pray for each victim. When dignity is robbed from one, it is
robbed from all. May all those who love them experience God’s consolation:
Daniel Aston, 28
Kelly Loving, 40
Ashley Paugh, 35
Derrick Wayne Rump, 38
Raymond Green Vance, 22