wfn.org | NCCCUSA on Colorado School Massacres

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227
E-mail: news@ncccusa.org; Web: www.ncccusa.org

46NCC4/21/99  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO COLORADO SCHOOL MASSACRES
By The Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell
NCC Deputy General Secretary/Executive Director, National 
Ministries Unit
National Council of Churches

The National Council of Churches National Ministries Unit 
expresses its deep and sincere sorrow to the families of the 
victims, to the students and the entire Littleton, Colorado, 
community.  We know they will have to live in response to 
this great human tragedy for many years to come and our 
sincere prayers go out to them.

As people of faith, we must collectively find a way to form 
partnerships throughout all communities to prevent guns and 
other violent weapons and explosives from getting into the 
hands of our children.  We must also facilitate forums and 
open dialogue in local communities to discuss creative and 
innovative ways to help our children make the transition 
from childhood to adulthood without resorting to violence to 
deal with day-to-day frustrations.

The NCC National Ministries Unit encourages its 35 member 
communions and all ecumenical organizations across America 
to pause and assess the proliferation of violence among the 
nation's young.  Schools were once perceived as safe havens, 
but in recent years they have become killing fields.  Even 
in suburbia there is no hiding place.

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