Bishop of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese David Bonnar addressed the attack on the White House Correspondent’s Dinner on Saturday.
The bishop says there is no room for violence in a country based on freedom and respect, and gun violence must be addressed.
He also offered a prayer of petition for unity.
Here is the statement from Bishop Bonnar:
April 25, 2026
“The United States is built on freedom and respect for all. There is no room for violence that endangers the life of any human being. Moreover the issue of gun violence must be addressed. Violence is never the answer. We all must look deeper into the human heart to build each other up rather than tear each other down. We pray for peace in moments of disagreement and discord. As we celebrate our 250th birthday may we live as a nation under God with liberty and justice for all.”
Prayer of Petition
For the healing of divisions in our country, that we might always strive to be one nation, under God, and that hatred and violence will be cast out from every heart in our land and throughout the world, Let us pray to the Lord.
