PA Prays - Prayer and Action Against Gun Violence

Pennsylvania’s five Episcopal cathedrals are dedicating Sept. 18 to focus on action, advocacy, and prayer against the gun violence that has shaken our nation. Events will include prayer services, public conversations, readings, choir, a candle-lighting service, and more.

Join the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral in prayer online or in person on 9/18 at 10 a.m.  Their livestream can be viewed here.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Audrey C. Scanlan, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, called the sister dioceses together for an act of common witness in mid-September for a specific purpose. Scanlan explained: “All too often, we rally for change in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy and a few months later, we are back to ‘business as usual.’ We must break the cycle of violence in our country with persistent advocacy and witness. Additionally, people who study widespread tragedies note that in the life cycle of a disaster, while our grief becomes muted, it is still present as we work towards a period of reconstruction and a 'new normal.'  I want to us to come together so that our work to end the epidemic of gun violence can continue with strength, while also providing a pastoral place to process our grief and sorrow.”

Scanlan is a member of Bishop’s Against Gun Violence (BUAGV), which is a network of nearly 100 Episcopal Church bishops that urge our cities, states, and nation to adopt policies and pass legislation that will reduce the number of people in the United States killed and wounded by gunfire. (Bishop Gutiérrez is one of the co-coveners of BUAGV.)

The Episcopal Church has been vocal in the fight to reduce the risk of gun violence for decades. Since the 1970s, The Episcopal Church has called for Congress to limit the ownership, sale, and use of firearms, as well as to limit the availability of weapons. Additionally, they have openly acknowledged and sought to support communities that have high rates of violence and acknowledge the harm caused by an intimate partner and family violence, the lives lost to suicide, and those terrorized by mass shootings.

Events will take place throughout the day at each of the cathedrals. All are welcome to attend. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit https://diocesecpa.org/pa-prays.