With sadness in our hearts, we condemn with one voice the senseless violence that took place in Orlando, Florida last Saturday night.
The heinous acts committed by a single gunman on Saturday night were an attack on all civilized people. They were an attack on fundamental American values. They were an attack on our shared belief that every human being – regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation – is a child of God and equally endowed by God with dignity and worth.
We mourn the lives lost and express our deepest condolences to their families. We hold close those who survived the massacre and are clinging to their lives this very day. We join with the families and friends who are grieving, hoping, and trying to cope with this tragedy. We are profoundly grateful to the brave officers, first responders, tireless physicians and nurses and all who assisted during the crisis. Their unselfish, life-saving actions reflect what is best in those who value our common humanity.
May the tragic deaths of so many innocent people redouble our determination to reject hatred and bigotry in this country. May it redouble our determination to remove the scourge of gun-violence from our beloved land.
May the verses of scripture be fulfilled at last:
“I will bring peace to the land; you shall lie down and no-one shall terrorize you” (Leviticus)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew)
“One who slays a soul… shall be as if he had slain all mankind; and one who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind” (Quran)
The Orange Clergy Association
Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Abdelati, New Haven Islamic Center
Rev. Tim Boerger, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Fr. Eugene Charman, Holy Infant Roman Catholic Church
Rabbi Michael Farbman, Temple Emanuel of Greater New Haven
Rev. Peter Orfanakos, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Rev. Diana Rogers, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
Fr. Joseph Sidera, Holy Infant Roman Catholic Church
Rev. Suzanne Wagner, Orange Congregational Church
Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus, Congregation Or Shalom