Group to Hold Prayer Vigil Concerning Gun Violence
Washington, DC–The vigil will be on Thursday, June 23, at 11:00 A.M. outside of his Washington, D.C. office located at 1233 Longworth HOB.
The public vigil takes place against the backdrop of an historic sit-in by House members in the U. S. Capitol building calling upon Speaker Ryan to allow a vote on a bill that would restrict access to guns to those on no fly and terrorist lists.
The sit-in is also days after the worst mass shooting in modern history where 49 innocent people were killed and 53 wounded in an Orlando, Florida nightclub.
Rev. Rob Schenck and Rev. Patrick Mahoney will also be seeking a face to face meeting with Speaker Ryan.
Rev. Rob Schenck, President of Faith and Action and the subject of Abigail Disney’s award winning documentary on gun violence “The Armor of Light” states;
“The enormity of the tragedy in Orlando, perpetrated by an ISIS inspired terrorist who cheaply and easily bought what amounts to a machine gun, signals a moral crisis that now demands action.
“When I sat with Speaker Ryan at the papal mass, we talked about the moral challenges our country faces. This is one. I’m hopeful he’ll do the right thing and lead Congress to remedy this deadly loophole.”
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Pastor of Church on the Hill and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C. adds;
“After the horrific shootings in Orlando and the tragic loss of thousands of lives every year through gun violence, it is time for the most important voice to be heard and engage on this issue. That voice is the Christian community and the pulpits of thousands of churches that dot the landscape of America. Sadly, this voice has been mostly silent.
“In this moral vacuum, we have only heard the trite sloganeering of the National Rifle Association and the empty promises of our political leaders. It is the faith community that can provide a clear, moral and inspirational response to this troubling issue and ignite a national conversation that will provide a path toward ending gun violence. We cannot longer be silent. We can no longer be indifferent while this violence continues.
“We call upon Speaker Ryan to allow this House vote to move forward in the House, but more importantly to initiate dialogue and debate in the House to find creative and bold ways to end the horror of gun violence in America.”
(Source: Christian Newswire)
