On Saturday, July 13th, President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt while attending a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Shortly after 6pm ET, Trump took the stage and began speaking to rally attendees. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was perched on the roof of a building some 150 meters away armed with a rifle. Crooks opened fire on the stage, hitting President Trump in the right ear, who crouched down as Secret Service rushed the stage. The shooter, continuing to fire, killed one civilian, Corey Comperatore, and injured two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver.
As President Trump stood back up, surrounded by Secret Service, he raised his fist in the air and continued to hold it up as he was escorted into a protected vehicle.
President Trump, David Dutch, and James Copenhaver are all in stable condition. Corey Comperatore died protecting his family, diving on them to shield them from the shots.
In light of these tragic events, it’s important to remember that these acts stem from sin, evil, and a fallen nature. It’s easy to allow them to fuel anger and thoughts of retaliation, continuing the cycle of violent conflict. The attempted assassination of President Trump, the loss of Corey Comperatore, and the injuries sustained by David Dutch and James Copenhaver remind us of the evil that can manifest in our world.
However, as Catholics, we find hope in Christ even in the darkest times, even in the midst of murderous acts and unspeakable disunity. Jesus teaches us to respond to violence with love and to seek peace. Let us turn to prayer, asking for healing for the injured, comfort for the families affected, and strength for our leaders. In these moments, our faith calls us to stand together, united in hope and compassion, trusting in God’s ultimate plan.
The USCCB released a statement on the incident:
“Together with my brother bishops, we condemn political violence, and we offer our prayers for President Trump, and those who were killed or injured. We also pray for our country and for an end to political violence, which is never a solution to political disagreements. We ask all people of goodwill to join us in praying for peace in our country. Mary, Mother of God and Patroness of the Americas, pray for us.”
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Pray for us!
