INTERFAITH STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTINGS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
New York, NY – We of different faith traditions stand together in our grief for the murdered victims of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. We mourn the senseless loss of life, the broken hearts of the bereaved and the brutal disregard of human decency. We pray that God send comfort to entire shattered community and fill their hearts with courage as they confront this horrific tragedy.
God should be colorless. Sacred places of worship should be safe for all people, free from violence and fear. We all proclaim “Love your neighbor as yourself,” without distinction of race or religion.
We will continue to work together to extinguish the fires of hatred and discrimination, religious or otherwise so that we broaden the path where all can worship and walk together.
The Executive Committee,
Commission of Religious Leaders of the City of New York
Reverend A.R. Bernard
Senior Pastor, Christian Cultural Center
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
Reverend Jimmy Lim
General Secretary,
Commission of Religious Leaders
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik
Executive Vice President,
New York Board of Rabbis
New York Board of Rabbis
136 East 39th Street
New York, New York 10016
Phone: 212-983-3521
Fax: 212-983-3531
