Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the USCCB said in a Vatican Radio interview on August 16, 2017 that the US bishops denounce any form of racism and the violence that occurred over the past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“We see it as an attack on the unity of our nation, as a massive evil thing,” he told Vatican Radio. “Racism, white supremacy, neo-Nazism and similar evils have raised their voices in acts of deplorable violence. And we want to raise our voices against them. Catholics also want to pray for the victims of violence… to call on Catholics and all peoples of good will, to pray for healing, and then to start working anew for unity and peace at this time of tension and division.”
“Part of the problem of any kind of evil getting a foothold is when the really good people don’t say anything. So those kinds of issues are important – that we speak, that we act together.”
Cardinal DiNardo’s remarks to Vatican Radio build on his statement on behalf of the USCCB on August 13, 2017, in the immediate wake of the Charlottesville violence:
«As we learn more about the horrible events of yesterday, our prayer turns today, on the Lord’s Day, to the people of Charlottesville who offered a counter example to the hate marching in the streets. Let us unite ourselves in the spirit of hope offered by the clergy, people of faith, and all people of good will who peacefully defended their city and country.
«We stand against the evil of racism, white supremacy and neo-Nazism. We stand with our sisters and brothers united in the sacrifice of Jesus, by which love’s victory over every form of evil is assured. At Mass, let us offer a special prayer of gratitude for the brave souls who sought to protect us from the violent ideology displayed yesterday. Let us especially remember those who lost their lives. Let us join their witness and stand against every form of oppression.»
