In response to the Sept. 23 grand jury decision in Louisville, Ky., ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop William Gafkjen have offered a word of prayer and healing following the decision not to charge police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death.
“As a nation, we are struggling with and divided by the decision,” the message read, in part. “It has affected so many of us in so many ways. We grieve the brokenness of the criminal justice system. We are tired and weary of the violence. Has not God created all of us to have inherent dignity, value and worth?”
It continued: “We come together at the cross. The proclamation of the gospel is the only nonnegotiable in the life of this church. Yet, we know the gospel can be divisive for us in our ministry for justice and peace. As we dwell in God’s word, we pray God will give us the strength and the courage to act in service of the gospel’s free course for the life of the world.”
