Prayer: Archbishop Joseph Kurtz

We join our voices with civic and religious leaders in pledging to work for healing and reconciliation. Our efforts must address root causes of these conflicts [sparked by police shootings]. A violent, sorrowful history of racial injustice, accompanied by a lack of educational, employment and housing opportunities, has destroyed communities and broken down families, especially those who live in distressed urban communities. Confronted by these realities, the familiar words of Blessed Pope Paul VI still resonate and continue to call us to action in our day: “If you want peace, work for justice.”

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, speaking as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 10, 2015