National Healing | Resolutions

RESOLUTION 348

National Healing and Reconciliation

      WHEREAS, in recent months a disturbing series of mass-murders and violent attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, Minneapolis, Dallas and Baton Rouge has revealed deep divisions within our communities and within the fabric of American society itself; and

      WHEREAS, our Holy Father Pope Francis has expressed his sadness at the violence and has entrusted the victims and their families to the Lord so that they may find comfort; and

      WHEREAS, the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, has asked all people of good will to “beg for the strength to resist the hatred that blinds us to our common humanity”; and

      WHEREAS, our Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, has called for prayer, with the hope that we may “build a society that is merciful, just, and peaceful”; and

      WHEREAS, in the wake of this violence, the Knights of Columbus called for a novena of prayer from July 14-22, 2016 for the intention of healing the wounds and divisions afflicting the United States; and,

      WHEREAS, the Knights of Columbus proposed the Prayer for Peace of Saint Francis of Assisi which implores the Lord to allow his people to be instruments of peace and to sow love in times of hatred; and

      WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited all dioceses of the United States to unite in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on September 9, 2016; and

      WHEREAS, the Knights of Columbus has always shown great admiration for the sacrifices made by our law enforcement community, even amending in 1970 eligibility for the Matthews & Swift Educational Trust Scholarships, to include the children of our members who, as a result of criminal violence, lose their lives while in performance of their duties as law enforcement officers.

      NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus stands in solidarity with the Holy Father and the bishops of the United States in calling upon all people of good will to pray for an end to the violence and for the healing of the cultural wounds afflicting the United States; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus commends the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for its efforts to unite all dioceses of the United States in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on September 9, 2016; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that during this Year of Mercy we recommit ourselves to building stronger communities by implementing robust charitable programs through our state and local councils; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus is committed to moving our national conversation on violence beyond rhetoric to honest and civil dialogue that offers real solutions and respects the inherent dignity of all; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our profound gratitude for the sacrifices by law enforcement officers and all first responders who commit their lives to the protection of our communities; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will not allow evil acts of violence to divide us and that we reaffirm our commitment to the concepts of love of neighbor, peace, and forgiveness that are central to an authentic Christian witness; and

      FURTHER RESOLVED, that we rededicate ourselves to reversing the trend of violence within our society through a commitment to life and a vision of hope centered on the dignity of every human person made in the image of God, which is the starting point for true healing and reconciliation.