‘Pure evil’: Christian leaders react to Minneapolis Catholic school shooting
4. Craig Loya
Minnesota Episcopal Church Bishop Craig Loya issued a statement on his Facebook account saying he is "devastated" by the shooting.
"Our metro area congregations have many close connections to students, faculty, and staff at the school, and all of us are feeling the crushing weight of grief," he stated.
"As a nation, we have chosen access to guns over the ability to assemble in our most sacred public spaces without fear. This crushing grief is simply what that collective choice costs."
Loya stressed that while "we all feel helpless, angry, and afraid," it is important that "we remember that Jesus always goes where the pain is."
"Jesus always, always shows up most fully with those who are doubled over with grief, pushed aside by oppressive systems, ignored by the powerful, or afraid in the shadows," Loya added.
"Jesus goes most fully to those places in our own hearts, and in the world around us. Jesus always shows up with the balm of love where there is deepest pain, and that's where we show up as his hands and heart today."
