In an interview with the diocesan newspaper, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee called the violence that broke out in the city this past weekend after the fatal police shooting of an African-American man “a self-inflicted wound.”“Violence is never tolerated. Protests are certainly the right of every American, but violence such as looting, burning is never tolerated,” Listecki told the Catholic Herald in an Aug. 15 telephone interview. “It only creates a self-inflicted wound on the community.”
The protests resulted in the destruction of six businesses, including a gas station and a police car in response to the August 13 shooting death of Sylville K. Smith. The 23 year-old fled a traffic stop and had a gun in his hand when police caught up with him. He was shot in the arm and chest after refusing to drop the weapon.
The incident resulted in violent protests that saw many businesses looted and/or torched in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee, an area that is already economically challenged.
“It was painful to watch,” Archbishop Listecki said about the violence. “Members of a neighborhood, who depend upon police protection, were fighting the police and burning businesses, which the community depends upon, as well as looting these businesses, which showed individuals not protesting, but stealing. Protest is a right of every American, but burning, shooting at legitimate authority and stealing are not. In fact, those who committed these actions imposed self-inflicted wounds on the very community whose interests they claim to represent.”
While their anger is understandable, the bishop said, violence is never the right response. Instead, the focus should be on supporting the family, building the economy and attacking the area’s high crime rate.
“I firmly believe that the loss of a strong faith that builds character and creates change is currently missing from our current, secular equation. Faith in Jesus Christ has not changed. However, the commitment to live that faith has become dormant,” the bishop added.
“It’s time to awaken our confidence, together, in Jesus Christ and the Gospel that presents us with the only true transformation which changes hearts as well as minds.”
He is inviting all to pray for the families and police authorities who have been caught in this conflict as well as to pray for peace in our neighborhoods and communities, in Milwaukee and throughout the world.
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