Racism is real. On May 25, 2020, Mr. George Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His tragic death caused an outpouring of grief and anger. What happened to Mr. Floyd was sickening. I can understand why people are outraged. It was another instance of a pattern that has been repeated far too many times – Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd. Every human being deserves to be safe, but for African-Americans in this country, they have long lived in fear, doubting that their personal safety will be protected in our society.
[click headline for video] "I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us through the media. Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd. My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that “the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost”. Today I join the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism. Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world. May God bless all of you and your families."
"An international gathering of marital experts, presented by Joyful Ever After, and crafted to take your relationship to an entirely new level." June 11–13, 2020. Free to register. [External Link]