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Nearly a week after the shootings that killed House DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, clergy from several religions gathered at the State Capitol Friday to urge an end to political violence
“Our Lord, we ask you to restore calm and peace and tranquility to our beloved state, to our beloved country, and into all of our hearts,” offered Imam Asad Zaman of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota.
A suspect, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, is in custody and faces charges in the shootings of the Hortmans last Saturday, and also for shooting and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
Buddhist priest Ben Connelly, who is with the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, also spoke at the gathering.
“May we meet every suffering with compassion,” said Connelly. “May we meet violence with non-violence feeling the anguish of the brutal murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman. May we renounce violence and honor their lives with courage and compassionate action.”
The various religious leaders vowed to work more closely together to promote unity.
Bishop Richard Howell chairs the board of the Minnesota Council of Churches.
“We, as a people of faith, are here today endeavoring to embrace the tenets of Dr King's Beloved Community, peace, compassion, social justice, belonging and diversity,” said Howell.
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