Bishop Walkowiak's Statement regarding the Assassination Attempt of Former President Trump

The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications issues the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, in response to the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

I am grateful that former President Trump was not seriously injured after an assassination attempt at a political rally this evening. I hold in prayer those who were killed and injured. Our country has experienced an act of political violence that now recalls the assassination attempt on President Reagan 43 years ago.

While we can appreciate the courageous, excellent work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement officials, we must personally commit ourselves to do whatever we can to stem the violence and intolerance that is making a home in the minds of Americans. This means turning down the volume on our own partisan rhetoric, and encouraging others to do so as well.
It is tragic to think that in our nation, you can go to a political rally and end up being shot to death or critically wounded. That is where we are today in this country.

We thank God that President Trump was not seriously wounded. No matter what our political convictions, let us pray for a lessening of violent thought and expression during this campaign season. May God give us this grace.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves more than 175,114 Catholics, 79 parishes and 31 schools in an 11-county area of West Michigan. For additional information visit our website grdiocese.org. Connect with the diocese on Facebook (Diocese of Grand Rapids), Twitter (@GRDiocese), and Instagram (@GRDiocese).