Respect Life Video Series: Reducing Gun Violence

The recording of our fourth Saturday program in the Renewal Center’s Respect Life Challenge is now available.

Drawing on their experiences in parish ministry, Fathers Joe Uecker and Mike Goode lead a lively discussion on how to reduce gun violence. If you couldn’t join the presentation, you can now watch the video.

Gun violence took some 20,000 lives in the US last year and injured twice that many. That does not count suicide by gun. A discussion of this topic will at least wake us up to the high number of deaths. We’re not going to get rid of guns; they’re here to stay. But with lots of work it is possible for people to change their attitude. That would go a long way to cut down the number of deaths and injuries.

The gun lobby argues that people and not guns kill people. While this is true, the evidence from other countries clearly confirms that when gun purchasers have been properly screened by background checks, when proper attention is given to the care of those with mental health needs, when violent offenders are monitored, and when people have fewer guns, the number of murders declines.

The K.C. Province of the Precious Blood Community has a corporate stance against Gun Violence. In part it reads: “Motivated by the Blood of Christ and called to be ministers of reconciliation…we affirm our belief in the sacredness of life. Present laws making it possible for uncontrolled and unlimited access to weapons and ammunition of any amount and any type do not foster a culture of life…. We come together to confront evil manifested by the culture of violence…Bonded in charity, we seek to create a safe environment for our children by promoting a culture of life and peace.”

Listen as Fr. Joe Uecker, CPPS, and Fr. Mike Goode, CPPS, share their efforts to reduce gun violence through their ministry in parishes, and brainstorm what you can personally do yourself.

Earlier discussions in this series were about elder abuse, mothers who lost children to gun violence and mass incarceration. Videos of discussions in this series can be found on our website.

The last topic in our series is

Oct. 30 — Grieving Miscarriage or Stillborn
We will meet mothers who have lost a child through a miscarriage or a stillbirth. They will tell us about the grieving process and how to find ongoing support. Guest Speakers: Kara Palladino, Colleen Sullivan, and Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony from A Mom’s Peace, in Virginia.

Join us Saturday 10-11:30 a.m. central time. Register to attend in person or join via live stream.

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