Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo appeals for peace, offers prayers

 in wake of shootings in Dallas, Minnesota and Louisiana

 “With great sadness I learned of the heartbreaking violence that occurred last night in Dallas when multiple law enforcement officers were shot, five of them fatally, in the last minutes of what had been a peaceful protest march. I pray for those officers, who sacrificed their lives to protect the peace, their families, and for the city of Dallas.

Yesterday, I appealed to the people of our Diocese to turn our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ for strength, compassion and mercy in the wake of deep concern about two shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. Today I once again urge all to pray continually for peace throughout all the communities in our great nation. Let us pray that future demonstrations are peaceful and we continue to work as a people toward mutual respect, dignity and justice. May God comfort the brokenhearted, and let peace prevail! I invite all to consider this 800-year-old prayer of St. Francis, which is fitting today.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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Contact: Deborah Cox: [email protected] or (804) 622-5161