Bishop Walkowiak responds to Uvalde, Texas elementary school shooting

The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications issues the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas:

“We find ourselves, once again, in overwhelming shock and grief as a nation over the senseless loss of innocent life. This time the pain is deepened by the fact that almost all of the victims were young children, those whom Christ calls us to imitate in order to enter heaven.

I echo the statement by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, archbishop of San Antonio, “The Catholic Church consistently calls for the protection of all life; and these mass shootings are a most pressing life issue on which all in society must act – elected leaders and citizens alike.”

Please join me in prayer for the families who are facing unfathomable grief and the entire Uvalde community as they absorb the weight of this terrible loss. As we mark the end of our Easter season, we hold fast to our faith in the risen Christ who has triumphed over death. ‘Yet the just are taken away from the presence of evil, and enter into peace;’ (Isaiah 57:1-2) “