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“We are all implicated when we allow violence to continue in our communities.”
Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ
Confronting gun violence this Advent
This month has brought fresh reminders that the epidemic of gun violence continues to steal lives and traumatize survivors and communities alike.
On Dec. 14, 2025, a horrific mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. Another tragedy unfolded Dec. 14 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Two students were killed, and nine others were wounded in a shooting at an academic building. One Brown University student described the horror of experiencing her second school shooting.
During this holy season of Advent and Christmas, the Church continues to speak out against the ongoing crisis of gun violence in our communities.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops emphasizes that “the voice of weapons must be silenced, while the voice of fraternity and justice must be raised,”. It calls for mercy and peacebuilding approaches to reduce the epidemic of gun deaths and injuries across the nation.
Catholic sisters and faith communities are active in this work with groups like Nuns Against Gun Violence. In his recent Angelus prayers and public statements, Pope Leo XIV has denounced gun violence as a societal scourge and prayed for peace during the holiday season.
IHM is a member of End Gun Violence Michigan (EGVMi), a coalition of more than 40 faith, community, teacher, student and parent organizations. This coalition works together to reduce gun violence in Michigan through advocacy, education and legislative reform.
EGVMi played a key role in helping pass Michigan’s first new gun laws in 40 years. New gun laws included safe storage requirements, universal background checks, protections for domestic violence survivors and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).
In this season of hope and light, our Catholic faith calls us to reject the darkness of violence and to protect the sacred dignity of all God’s children.
Did you know?
Michigan communities are taking action to reduce gun violence in creative and life-saving ways. Disarmory Ministries recently celebrated the disposal of its 1,000th unwanted firearm collected through buyback events across Metro Detroit.
Buyback events help prevent accidents, protect children and vulnerable adults and remove guns that might be stolen or misused. Each firearm is safely destroyed and some materials are transformed into artwork. Consider supporting or donating to local gun buyback programs, like Disarmory Ministries.
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