(Vatican Radio) As protests continue in the town of Ferguson in the United States, Archbishop Robert Carlson of Saint Louis has issued a letter calling on Catholics to work for peace. Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace.”
Archbishop Carlson has invited the Catholic faithful to attend a Mass for Justice and Peace, set to take place at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, just a few miles from the site of the protests. During the Mass, a collection will be taken up to assist food pantries and parishes in the area that offer assistance to those affected by looting and the destruction of property.
In addition, Archbishop Carlson is calling on parishes to offer Masses for peace in the community, and offering appropriate resources through the Archdiocesan Office of Worship.
The commitment to peacebuilding extends to various initiatives throughout the Archdiocese, especially to Catholic schools, many of which are beginning classes in the coming weeks. Archbishop Carlson is encouraging Catholic schools to begin a daily Rosary for peace, and to offer special intentions during all school Masses.
Concluding his letter, Archbishop Carlson pointed again to the example and teaching of the Holy Father. Pope Francis, he says, “has encouraged us again and again to ask Our Lady, the Undoer of Knots, to intercede for us in difficult circumstances. So too, I ask all the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to join me in praying to Our Blessed Mother and to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for peace and justice in our community.”
August 18, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. LOUIS – Today, His Excellency, Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, issued the following letter to the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Louis:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We are all aware of the turmoil and tragedy our St. Louis community is experiencing. The residents of Ferguson, Missouri, are struggling to find peace in the chaos. As people of Christ, we are struggling to find direction in the unrest.
I have personally visited Ferguson and Michael Brown's memorial to offer my prayers for everyone affected by this tragedy. As I have been observing this situation and reflecting on it through much prayer, I find strength in the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace." In all circumstances, but especially in these difficult times, we are all called to be instruments of peace through our words and actions. Pope Francis recently stated that, "All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace."
To that end, I invite the Catholic faithful to attend a Mass for Peace and Justice which I will celebrate at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, on Wednesday, August 20th, at 5 p.m. During the Mass a special collection will be taken to assist food pantries and parishes in the Ferguson area that offer assistance to those who have been affected by the looting and destruction of property. Additionally, I encourage all parishes to offer Masses for peace in our community. The Office of Worship will contact pastors to provide the appropriate resources. Additional parish activities could include Holy Hours, a parish rosary, or a special collection this week to assist in the effort.
Because many Catholic schools are beginning classes both this and in the coming weeks, I have asked our Catholic schools to begin a daily rosary for peace and to offer special intentions during all school Masses. Catholic Family Services, an agency of Catholic Charities, has made counselors available to any Catholic school that requests assistance. Catholic Family Services has also publicized tips for parents and schools when dealing with crisis situations.
Pope Francis has encouraged us again and again to ask Our Lady, the Undoer of Knots, to intercede for us in difficult circumstances. So too, I ask all the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to join me in praying to Our Blessed Mother and to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for peace and justice in our community.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
Archbishop of St. Louis
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