Pastoral Letter on Political Violence
The CACINA College of Bishops unanimously endorses the following pastoral letter from Bishop Tony Green, issued on September 15, 2025, for dissemination to the National Church.
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Dear St. John of God Parishioners and Friends:
I feel compelled to write to you in light of the troubling rise in political violence in our nation. Most recently,
the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has unleashed a torrent of vitriolic and hateful rhetoric.
As Christians, we are called to resist anger and vengeance, and instead lean into our faith, walking in the way of
Christ. When we answer violence with violence, or hatred with hatred, we only deepen the divisions and risk
even greater harm.
It grieves me that some political leaders choose to exploit these tragedies by blaming their rivals, rather than
speaking words that promote unity, discourage violence, and seek peace. I encourage you to raise your voices
with your elected representatives—not in condemnation, but in the service of the common good, urging them to
promote peace, justice, and policies that protect the dignity of all people.
I am fully aware that many of us did not share Mr. Kirk’s views, and that some of his ideas caused real harm.
Yet he, like all of us, had the right to speak freely. He did not deserve to be murdered for his speech, no matter
how strongly we may have disagreed with him. Our faith reminds us that every person bears the image of God,
even those with whom we profoundly disagree.
Jesus himself commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. From the cross he
prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” His words remain a summons to us: to pray, to
forgive, and to stand for peace even in the face of violence.
We also remember the heartbreaking deaths of Minnesota State Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband
Mark, who were assassinated only months ago, as well as the children killed at Annunciation Catholic School.
Each of these tragedies is a stark reminder of the urgent need for our leaders to address gun violence with
courage and wisdom.
I urge you to keep all of these victims, their families, and even the perpetrators of these crimes in your prayers.
Pray for their healing, their repentance, and for God’s peace to break into the brokenness of our world.
Finally, I ask you to resist the temptation to lash out on social media or in conversations in ways that deepen our
political divides. Instead, let us bear witness to our faith by affirming the truth that every person is created in the
image and likeness of God and is deserving of dignity and respect.
May Christ, the Prince of Peace, guide our hearts and our words, that we may be instruments of reconciliation in
a time of discord.
In Christ’s peace,
Bishop Tony Green, FCR
