‘Cruel, unjust, evil’: Christian leaders react to the police killing of Tyre Nichols

Elizabeth Eaton

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gives remarks at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gives remarks at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. | Screengrab: YouTube/Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, released a statement denouncing the killing of Nichols, drawing a parallel to recent mass shootings.

"Each of these tragedies inspires grief, not only for the lives lost and forever altered but also for our loss of confidence in a system that continues to fail us, over and over," she stated.

Eaton noted that all Americans must "face this problem," and "we must cry out, much as Rachael wept in loud lamentation, 'How long, O Lord?'"

"How long, O Lord, will we need to suffer at the hands of injustice? How long, O Lord, will we hear of lives taken by another shooting and fear for our own lives and our families' lives? How long, O Lord, will we fear a system that is supposed to protect all lives?" continued Eaton.

"Dear church, now is the time to focus, listen, learn, counsel, advocate for just reforms, and lament a grief that seems relentless, that is awoken again with each act of tragedy and injustice across this nation. "

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Become a CP Insider.
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

The truth has a cost, and Insiders help carry it.
A dollar from an Insider comes with no strings attached. It keeps our reporters on the story, keeps our journalism open to everyone, and keeps every editorial decision in the newsroom, where it belongs.

Become a CP Insider and choose the amount you want to pay. You can change, pause or cancel anytime. As a thank-you, you’ll get:

  • The Insider Newsletter, a members-only monthly letter from our newsroom

  • Ad-free reading across christianpost.com


From as low as $8.25/month
Prefer to give once?

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles.
Return to homepage.

Most Popular