A Message from Bishop O'Connell: Prayers after Mass shooting in Trenton

A message from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M.

The epidemic of gun violence has struck once again, this time close to home. The people of Trenton awoke this morning to the tragic news that twenty of our brothers and sisters —- our families, neighbors and friends —- were injured during a mass shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning at the city’s “All Night Art Festival.”  One suspect has been killed and the motive is under investigation.
 
There is no motive, however, that can justify these ongoing, seemingly relentless acts of gun violence plaguing our cities. How many times can our hearts break? Once again, we fall to our knees to beg the Almighty to help us end these senseless assaults on innocent life in our communities. We pray for the injured and their families, for comfort and healing. We pray in thanksgiving for the first responders and emergency workers. And we pray for our community here in Trenton that God’s peace and our love for one another might prevail.