Bishops of Diocese of North Carolina Respond to Today’s Events in Washington, D.C.

It is with heavy hearts and deep anguish that we respond to the events we are witnessing at the U.S. Capitol today, when rioters breached security and stormed the Capitol during the congressional debate considering the results of the Electoral College and the certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice President of the United States.

As bishops and as citizens, we are aware of the gravity of this situation and the seriousness of this action. This is not simply a protest. This is an occupation with the intention of overthrowing a duly elected government. It represents an attempted subversion not only of our democratic process, but of the very principles of democracy on which this country was founded.

There will be time later to ask the harder questions of how we got here and who bears responsibility for this tragic and violent situation. There are many; included among them is the sitting president, who has encouraged and incited behavior that led to the actions taken today and must be held accountable for his leadership failure and reprehensible rhetoric.

There will be more to say in the coming days and weeks. In this moment, however, we ask all of our people to unite in prayer for peace, for safety and for an immediate resolution of this violent and treasonous action. We pray for all of our government officials at the Capitol, for law enforcement personnel, and for those who are trying to diffuse this situation peacefully.

Grant O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.