A statement from Cathedral of Hope:
Following yesterday’s devastating lack of action from the U.S. Senate, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ joins national call to end gun violence and calls for comprehensive gun safety legislation.
Last weekend the LGBT community was the target of what is now known to be worst mass shooting in the history of the United States. The Rev. Neil G Cazares-Thomas, senior pastor said, “Enough is enough. It is beyond time to end gun violence and to implement a comprehensive gun safety laws.
Noting Monday’s (June 20) failure to act, Cazares-Thomas called upon all those who will vote later this year to remember this inaction; to call to account those who fail to serve the desires and wishes of the vast majority of Americans who continue to watch lawmakers fail us on a number of pressing issues in the United States.
“All people should be able to live without fear and this past weekend once again tore away the fabric our society and the sanctuaries that many minorities, including those that LGBT people have created for decades. Too many people have paid the price for the inadequacy of those protections and for the inaction of Congress,” he said.
Reported LGBT homicides rose by 20 percent in the U.S. between 2014 and 2015, according to a study released this week by The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. Of the homicides reported last year, 62 percent were LGBT people of color.
The United Church of Christ has long advocated for sensible policies to end gun violence. The UCC 20th General Synod passed a resolution entitled “Violence in Our Society and World,” in which it recognized the complicated and interwoven layers at the root of violence.
That same General Synod also passed a resolution entitled “Guns and Violence,” inviting UCC members and congregations to advocate for legislation to strengthen licensing and registration of gun sales, strengthen regulations of gun dealers and ban semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips.
As a faith community we once again come together in the aftermath of gun tragedies and urge lawmakers to pass laws that prevent gun violence. Tested by our grief, resolute in our faith we remain committed to continuing this drumbeat.
Cathedral of Hope calls for passage of gun safety laws
