Dear Friends,
Below is the statement that I wrote last weekend in the wake of the alarming death of Renee Good. These are challenging days in the Twin Cities for all. As we move back into ordinary time, these days are anything but ordinary. As Christians we must be people of light, justice, and peace. As we move closer to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of being named America’s first basilica, my hope is that our Basilica community and indeed the Catholic community of the Twin Cities can commit to being a light shining in the darkness.
Statement of Fr. Daniel Griffith on the Fatal Shooting of Renee Good
I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Renee Good, a Minneapolis resident and mother. Once again, violence has visited our Twin Cities community and has taken another precious life. Please join me in praying for Renee’s family and friends whose grief is no doubt acute – pray that they would find the support and compassion that is needed at this time.
Over the last five years our Twin Cities community, particularly Minneapolis, has been ground zero for so much violence – the killing of George Floyd, the killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Annunciation shooting, which resulted in the deaths of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Markel, and now the violent death of Renee Good. These families have experienced unimaginable grief.
The Twin Cities community – all of us – are experiencing collective grief and trauma as a result of so much violence. We are reeling under the weight of deep sadness and dismay. This reality needs to be acknowledged, and the urgent work of justice and healing needs to commence by Minnesotans of goodwill. In the Luminiscence program at The Basilica this winter, we reference this persistent violence, saying: “what people held dear was destroyed—so many tragedies over the decades. Far too many innocent lives taken from our community. So much heartache and so much desperation.”
I think too of our immigrant brothers and sisters who are living in great fear presently in Minnesota and throughout the nation – afraid to go to work, school, or church. Archbishop Hebda in his statement referenced the dignity we all share, having been made in the image and likeness of God. This has been the consistent message of Pope Leo since his election last May – including the attendant call to peace. We must center the dignity of all in our community – no matter who they are or where they are from. The dignity we all have as human beings is inherent, universal, and inviolable, and our attendant call is to build a community of true justice and lasting peace.
I encourage parishioners and friends of The Basilica to resist the temptation to bury your pain but rather to name it, talk about it, and together engage in dialogue about concrete ways that Christians can contribute to the betterment of our Twin Cities community and our country. As we know, there is much important work be done in this regard.
May the God of light and goodness sustain us at this time and generously assist us with his abundant grace to build a Kingdom of love, justice, and peace. May Saint Mary, our patroness and friend, who said yes to bearing the Prince of Peace help us say yes to being artisans of peace at this time.