Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver prayed for an end to violence and a rejection of hatred, bitterness and anger during a ceremony marking the reopening of the theater in Aurora where 12 people were killed on this summer.

CNS is reporting that the Archbishop was one of several clergy and public officials who spoke during the January 17 remembrance and reopening service of the Century Aurora 16 theater in Colorado. The theater was the scene of a shooting this summer that left 12 dead and 58 wounded.

“In suffering, and in the love of God, dawn breaks before us. We are here tonight with one another to remember, to celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost and to support those who were wounded and continue to heal. We are here to stand together in mourning, in suffering, and we stand together in redemption,” the Archbishop said.

“Walking in the way of peace means knowing we are connected to one another, that in the family of humanity, each of our lives has worth and dignity and meaning and purpose. God calls us to pursue together what is beautiful. The way of peace means coming together in love.”

In his closing prayer, the Archbishop prayed for the people who died in the shooting and asked God to “be present” to those still suffering as a result of the tragedy.

“Help us to turn peace,” the archbishop prayed. “We pray, O Lord, that we might honor the dead by serving one another and loving one another. We pray that we might overcome evil by love. Help us to know truth, and goodness, and beauty. Help us to know you.”

The theater was reopened after a survey of Aurora residents found that a majority wanted to see the theater reopened.

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