A Letter from Most Worthy Supreme Ellis about the Violence in Our Cities

STATEMENT OF THE SUPREME KNIGHT VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND A DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE

Friday, August 12, 2016 

Greetings:
As I consider my own work in the Church and the community, particularly the
development of youth, my heart aches for our families that are torn by violence and our
communities that are destroyed by violence. As we have seen, the shootings of black men at
the hands of law enforcement officers have prompted protests throughout the country.
However, it is important that we also take a stand on the violence that is self-inflicted within
our own communities. We cannot allow hatred, hostility, despair and indifference to prevail in
our society. We have an obligation to respond to this progressively growing culture of
aggression by standing up and speaking out as a matter of our faith in Christ. 
The news media communicates daily how very much our nation is troubled and divided.
Our people are frustrated and angry. This frustration is impossible to disregard. We cannot
afford to allow our communities to become further marginalized as a result of malice and spite.
Saint Paul reminds us to be optimistic when our faith is tested because Christ breaks down the
dividing wall of hostility and division between us (Ephesians 2:14). We must hold fast to our
faith in Christ and defend the intrinsic value and dignity of all people, regardless of their racial,
socioeconomic, or political background. 
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) and archbishop of Louisville, reminds us that by “[embracing] the suffering,
through unified, concrete action animated by the love of Christ, we [will] nurture peace and
build bridges of communication and mutual aid in our own communities.” In light of recent
incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States, Archbishop
Kurtz has invited all dioceses across the country to unite in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our
Communities. This day of prayer is quite important for our Noble Order as it has been
designated as September 9, the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver. 
Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, our National Chaplain and bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, joins
me in encouraging all members of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary to become
involved in your respective dioceses and parishes to promote peace and reconciliation during
this time of great strain on our society.  

MOST WORTHY JAMES K. ELLIS Supreme Knight and Chief Executive Officer