AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Testimony of a Franciscan after the violence on the Capitol Building, there is need to start afresh from the search for peace and the common good

Friday, 8 January 2021 politics human rights franciscan

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New York (Agenzi Fides) - "The violent insurrection on the Capitol Building in Washington, DC marks a dark moment in American history. It has shocked and disturbed the vast majority of Americans who believe in free speech, the rule of law, and the exercise of free and fair elections": this is what Fr. David B. Couturier, OFM Cap., American Capuchin friar, Director of the Franciscan Institute at St Bonaventure University of New York, says to Agenzia Fides, commenting on the current situation in the United States, after the protest of supporters of President Donald Trump who, on January 6, broke into Parliament, causing 5 deaths (including a police officer) and 14 injuries.
Fr. Couturier explains: "We are in the
last moments of a presidency that has been marked by authoritarian rule, division and bias. The American people spoke loudly and clearly in its recent election that it was denouncing the Trump era of bias and bigotry and putting an end to it. The long history of an orderly and peaceful transfer of power was violently interrupted by a pro-Trump mob that was incited to its dangerous and unlawful actions by the President, his son, Donald Jr., and personal lawyer, Mr. Rudy Giuliani. The President's actions give evidence of what many of us in Franciscan communities have believed and held for the past four years - that Mr. Trump was intellectually and morally unfit for high office. The President's actions and those of his followers have been loudly and broadly denounced by the vast majority of the American people".
The Capuchin friar concludes: "In a few days, Mr. Trump will be gone from office and America will recover from its long nightmare under this erratic and morally deficient administration. We will soon rejoin our international friends and partners in the pursuit of peace, the care of creation, and the common good with all people. The Franciscan communities of the United States have been a strong and consistent voice for peace and justice during these troubling four years and we will continue to be faithful witnesses of God's abundant love for all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable". (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 8/1/2021)