1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103  ·   (314) 231-1220  ·     Contact Us

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Bishop & Staff
    • Diocesan History
    • Episcopal Beliefs
    • Find a Church
    • Governance
  • Ministries
    • Creation Care
    • Discipleship Development
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Hispanic/Latinx Ministry
    • Indigenous Ministry
    • Jubilee Ministry
    • LGBTQIA+ Ministry
    • Pastoral Care
    • Public Advocacy
    • Social Justice
    • Rural Ministries
    • Women's Ministry
    • Affiliated Ministries
  • Clergy
    • Clergy Job Openings
    • Clergy Resources
    • Deacons
    • Priests
    • Retired Clergy
    • Supply Clergy
  • Resources
    • 2023 Diocesan Convention
    • Bishop's Annual Appeal
    • Church Architecture & Arts
    • COVID-19
    • Financial
    • Forms
    • Parish Leadership
    • Safe Church
    • Strategic Visioning
    • Worship
  • Connect
    • Branding & Logo
    • Calendar
    • Communications
    • Diocesan Shop
    • Events
    • Lay Job Openings
    • News
  • Give

Diocesan Response to the May 14 Mass Shooting in Buffalo, NY

Statement from the Diocesan Commission on Dismantling Racism
by the Rev. Aaron Rogers, Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Louis
and co-facilitator of the Diocesan Commission on Dismantling Racism

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by the vicious shooting at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, NY. We especially send our prayers to the families of the 10 human beings who lost their lives after being coldly gunned down. We give thanks for the apprehension of the 18-year old gunman, but remain deeply troubled by the ever present rhetoric that fuels violent attacks on minority groups and bemoan the lack of policy that would curb access to assault weapons. Ten people died in the Buffalo attack. For the sake of all of us, we must say their names*.

  • Roberta A. Drury, 32, who had moved to Buffalo to be with her brother, who had had a bone marrow transplant
  • Margus D. Morrison, 52,
  • Andre Mackneil, 53
  • Aaron Salter, 55, a retired police officer who was working as a security guard in Top Friendly Mart grocery store
  • Geraldine Talley, 62
  • Celestine Chaney, 65, a devoted grandmother
  • Heyward Patterson, 67, a dedicated church-goer who drove people to and from the supermarket
  • Katherine Massey, 72, a community activist with a "beautiful soul", according to her sister
  • Pearl Young, 77, who dedicated her Saturdays to working in a soup kitchen
  • Ruth Whitfield, 86, who had just been to visit her husband in a care home

Saturday was a sobering moment that reminds us all that racial hatred still exists and that white supremacist ideology continues to be a repugnant and lethal force in our society. We must remain vigilant in our work of dismantling racism and commit to exposing and expunging any element in our society that seeks to arm ignorance and weaponize racial animus.

We encourage all churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, and throughout this nation, not only to pray but to be a people of prayer, to stand against hatred, to kneel in humility with those bereaved, and to consistently orient ourselves toward the cross of Jesus the Christ that we may stand in sacred solidarity with those who are persecuted.

We do not bear these burdens alone. Let us continue to seek and serve Christ in all people. Let us continue to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being. And in the face of horror, decide to say, we will with God's help.


*Tawfik, Nada (May 16, 2022). Buffalo shooting: Black Americans describe grief and fear. BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61462939


Tags: News / Dismantling Racism Commission

The Very Rev. Shug Goodlow
Interim Priest-in-Charge, Christ Episcopal Church, Rolla and Diocesan Missioner for Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice
573-364-1499(o); 314-898-3482(c) 

    The Very Rev. Shug Goodlow

    Interim Priest-in-Charge, Christ Episcopal Church, Rolla and Diocesan Missioner for Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice
    573-364-1499(o); 314-898-3482(c) |
    Mission & Ministries Anti-Racism Covenant Congregational Social Justice Ministries Dismantling Racism Commission Episcopal City Mission Union of Black Episcopalians

    © 2023 Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
    1210 Locust St. · St. Louis, MO 63103
    (314) 231-1220
    Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

      View Entire Post

    Service Times

    Location

    Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
    1210 Locust St.
    St. Louis, MO 63103

    Contact Us
    (314) 231-1220

    Newsletter Signup

    Welcome from Our Bishop Find a Church Diocesan Calendar Clergy Resources

    We believe in a loving, life-giving and liberating God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God loves you -- no exceptions!

    We invite you to be a part of our faith journey.

    The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson is the leader of our diocese. He was elected as our bishop on Nov. 23, 2019, and ordained on June 13, 2020, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis.

    Learn More

    Approximately 10,000 people throughout Eastern and Central Missouri find their faith home with us. About three-quarters of our members are in the metro St. Louis area, but our diocese reaches much farther than St. Louis. You will find more than 40 Episcopal churches, missions and faith communities as far north as Kirksville, as far west as Columbia, and as far south as Poplar Bluff (and many points in between).

    If you are looking for a church home or a just a faith community to visit, we invite you to explore The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

    Find a Church


    Detailed Calendar

    Suggest an Event

    Specifically of interest to the ordained clergy canonically resident or licensed in this diocese.

    • Diocesan Forms Library
    • Diocesan Clergy Directory
    • Current diocesan supply priest list
    • Missouri Clergy Association email list

    Do you have a question or need more information?

    Send a message to the Offices of the Bishop and we'll get back with you soon!


    Contact Us Bishop and Staff Find a Church