Bishops call for cultural changes after Newtown shooting

January 03, 2013: Disturbing trends of violence in society should prompt both policy examinations and cultural changes, said committee leaders of the United States’ Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“It is time for our nation to renew a culture of life in our society,” said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
They are from the U.S. bishops' committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Communications; and Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, respectively.

They urged a re-consideration of national firearm policies, mental health treatment availability and violence in the entertainment industry, as well as broader efforts to restore the value that society places on human life.

On Dec. 14, a gunman identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza opened fire on teachers and students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conneticut. He killed 27 people – including his mother and 20 elementary school students – before taking his own life.
Offering a message of comfort and peace, the bishops extended their prayerful solidarity to all those affected by the “horrific evil.”

“No words can capture your suffering,” they acknowledged. “We look to Christ, his words and deeds, and ultimately to his Cross and Resurrection. It is in Jesus that we place our hope.”

To counter such violent acts, America’s elected leaders should consider reasonable limits on firearms that do not infringe upon people’s rights, the bishops said. While they acknowledged that “the intent to protect one's loved ones is an honorable one,” they added that “guns are too easily accessible.”

The bishops reiterated the call made in their 2000 statement, “Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice,” for legislation aimed at protecting society “from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons.”

The voiced their support for the “sensible regulations of handguns,” such as “measures that control the sale and use of firearms” and efforts to prevent their unauthorized use.

The bishops also encouraged an evaluation of the impact that violent movies and video games have on the culture.