The following message from the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, XIV Bishop of South Carolina, was sent to the Diocese of South Carolia June 18, 2015.

Dear Friends in Christ,

I have spoken to the Rev. Jimmy Gallant, one of our black clergyman and a leader in the Charleston community, earlier this morning in the wake of the horrific shooting at Emmanuel AME Church last evening.  Unconfirmed reports have nine dead from the shootings including the pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney.  The African American community in Charleston is crushed.  The larger community staggers wondering how to respond.  Many priests and lay persons in the diocese and elsewhere have contacted me this morning desiring some way to meaningfully respond.  

Frankly, our hearts are crushed by this violent act.  Our minds reeling as we consider the pain of our brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones—mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren, family and friends—as well as for those who have lost faith and hope from such a senseless act of hatred and insanity.  My heart and thoughts also reach out to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in this diocese, especially those of African American descent, as we grieve in the aftermath of this horrific event and from whatever root causes lie beneath it.   

I know some of the priests and lay persons from the diocese are planning to attend the prayer service at Morris Brown AME Church today at noon.   I too am planning to attend.  I humbly request all the clergy and laity in the area attending the prayer service to join me at the Cathedral afterwards at 2 p.m.  We shall seek God’s face on how he will have us respond as a diocese, as congregations, and as individual members of the Body of Christ—ambassadors of reconciliation—in this broken and fallen world for which His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, has died that He might redeem.   

Prayer for all involved would seem the primary thing we can offer at this point:

For Emmanuel AME
Their members
The injured
The families and friends of those killed
The community, as it responds to this tragedy
Law enforcement, for a speedy apprehension of the person responsible
Protection from those who would attempt to exploit this crisis
Restraint of further violence in response
For the Church... to be a witness in the midst of this tragedy... to redeem it
               
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples and races of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near:  Grant to those who have lost loved ones your hope, comfort and peace; grant to those members of Emmanuel AME Church a sense of your presence; look with compassion on the whole human family here in Charleston and across our nation;  show us how to respond to one another’s hurt and suffering;  shed abroad your Spirit on those who have lost faith, hope and trust in You and one another; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that in your good  time all peoples and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.