Letter
Letter to Congress Regarding Statement on Political and Ideological Violence, June 18, 2024
June 18, 2024
Dear Senator/ Representative:
As the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, I am writing to share with you a new statement, Pursue What Leads to Peace: A Christian Response to Rising Threats of Political and Ideological Violence.
As each of you knows all too well, more and more Americans are accepting violence as a means to settle political disputes. That includes the rising number of threats, and tragically, some violent attacks, that public office holders such as yourselves have suffered.
I therefore wish to pass along to you the attached statement that calls on all Christians and people of good will to abstain from political violence of any kind, and instead, “pursue what leads to peace,” seeking justice through dialogue.
It is a great gift of our American political tradition to be able to engage in the political process of our country through peaceful means. Peaceful dialogue that seeks justice is also the Christian way to engage with people with different political viewpoints on issues of public concern.
I thank you for your thoughtful reflection on the statement. We stand ready to work with you in helping our national political culture firmly reject violence of any kind, and instead turn towards dialogue, justice, and peace.
Please know of my prayers for each of you in your service to the common good of our nation.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Borys Gudziak
Archbishop of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Chairman
Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development