A memorial Mass was held April 30 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.CHARLOTTE — As the community in Charlotte and beyond mourns Monday’s deadly assault on law enforcement, Catholics across the diocese are honoring the sacrifice of those who gave their lives and offering prayers for all those affected by the fatal shootings.
Priests across the 46-county diocese acknowledged the selflessness of all public servants and called on God to bring comfort. And in a joint statement, Charlotte Bishop Peter Jugis and Bishop-elect Michael Martin, OFM Conv., offered their prayers – and a call for action.
“We are praying for all the families affected by this tragedy, as well as our entire community,” they said. “Along with the grief and sorrow we are feeling, we find consolation in the example of Jesus who said, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for another’ (John 15:13). We are grateful for all those who serve the public good and make sacrifices for our community.”
“May these officers’ families find comfort in God’s love, and may we all find ways to be peacemakers like Jesus in our community,” they said.
Four officers were fatally shot and four others were wounded April 29 while attempting to serve a warrant against a felon wanted for illegally possessing a firearm. The U.S. Marshals Service-led task force came under fire from an attacker as they approached a home on Galway Drive. The alleged attacker was killed after a three-hour standoff.
The four officers killed were Thomas Weeks Jr., U.S. Marshals Service; Sam Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott, N.C. Department of Adult Correction; and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer. The four injured officers remain hospitalized.
The fatal shooting prompted immediate reactions from community, civic and religious leaders across the region.
Our Lady of the Assumption students and teachers gathered for a special prayer Tuesday for all the officers and their families.
The school, located a couple miles from the incident scene, was among several that were briefly locked down on Monday. Students were dismissed as usual, and the school was not affected by the incident, said Principal Tyler Kulp, but the tragedy prompted them to organize extra prayers during the school’s Tuesday morning prayertime.
“Prayer is an important way we as Catholics can respond and show our support for all those who are grieving as a result of this tragedy,” Kulp said.
Also on Tuesday, St. Matthew Church arranged a Memorial Mass for Fallen Officers, which included law enforcement personnel from across the Charlotte area. Mass was offered by Father Darren Balkey, a former volunteer firefighter/EMT, who is currently assigned to the Charlotte parish.
“Today we rededicate ourselves to prayer for the whole Charlotte community in a special way for our first responders – those who place their own lives in danger for our safety,” Father Balkey said during his homily.
Christ is the example to follow in order to persevere through these “darkest moments,” he said.
“Yesterday, for many of us, probably felt like being held upside down and shook violently. Today, the sun came up again. The Velcro on the vest was just as noisy and the radio was the same as you keyed it up. But Christ was the Head again. The center of gravity came back to equilibrium.
“Those promises you made to uphold, to safeguard the lives and property of others, you went to work, again. And so we thank you.”
“Even in the midst of grief, endurance must set in,” he continued. “This city is not the same, and it never will be. And so as we go about doing good in our own quiet way, in a hidden way, in a resilient way, we lean on the ones around us.”
Father Balkey reminded the congregation that Christ is present every day, through good times and bad, and because of His victory over death He offers solace in times of grief. As Catholics, we are called to follow His example and help comfort others, he said.
“The work is still out there. We have with us the tools of faith to recraft what is shattered, to reassemble what is broken.
“We pray for God to help us be good followers, and when we are ready, to lead others to Him.”
— Catholic News Herald