(Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, issued the following statement on April 21, 2021 reacting to the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, whom a jury found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the May 2020 death of George Floyd.)

As the Chauvin trial has now concluded and the guilty verdict about the murder of George Floyd is known, we are working through this moment of national anxiety as we accept the jury’s decision.

 We join our hearts and prayers with those in the Minnesota community.  We echo the call of Archbishop Bernard Hebda for peace and non-violence in all of our communities.

As the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us and the life example of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. showed us, it is the virtue of charity, non-violence, prayer, and working together that moves us toward reconciliation and true healing from trauma we have experienced. Unified, we build toward sustainable peace for our families, our communities, and our nation.

With this verdict now public, let us renew our commitment to respect one another and remember our shared humanity. We are one human family - of various cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds - all made in God’s image.

May we choose to respond with civility and respect for the dignity of all of our brothers and sisters, as we continue the work of rooting out all injustices and systemic racism in our society.

Creator of All, Stay With Us Now and Always.