The Rev. Martha Hubbard writes in the Newburyport (MA) News:
… I had just come back from a conference day with 350 other Episcopalians where we participated in a variety of workshops on the topic of how to “Be Peace” in our communities. Working for Peace and non-violence is a central call for our Diocese (184 parishes in eastern Massachusetts) as one of our own young people, Jorge Fuentes, was murdered in his Dorchester neighborhood about this time last year. In the wake of his death we hear God calling to us to respond with efforts to bring peace through personal and systemic change.
One of the workshops I attended Saturday was run by representatives of an organization called Citizens for Safety. Two of the women who presented the workshop referred to themselves as Lipstick Women — LIPSTICK being the acronym for Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Inner-City Killings. One of these two women had a son killed by gun violence in their neighborhood.
…
If there was one thing the LIPSTICK women wanted us to take away from the workshop, it was the compelling question, “Where did the gun come from?” They rightly pointed out that when a shooting happens, the media focuses almost exclusively on the shooter and the victim. …. I know I have the right to remain silent … but should I? The ship of silence has sailed for me. As a follower of one who came embodying peace and healing for a hurting world, I feel compelled to speak out and encourage each of us to keep asking, “Where are the guns coming from?” Then let’s dare to wonder and pray for guidance for doing something about it!
From the Catechism and the right to remain silent:
Q. What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
A.It means that we are free to make choices: to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.
Q. Why then do we live apart from God and out of harmony with creation?
A. From the beginning, human beings have misused their freedom and made wrong choices.