Posted on 06/01/2021 4:44:57 PM PDT by Marchmain
In his homily on Pentecost, May 23, Bishop Michael C. Barber of Oakland recounted how terrified he was when he was robbed at gunpoint the afternoon before while out walking, but he also said he had to look beyond the fear to forgive the suspect.
"The only way we defeat evil and crime and hatred is to pour out the love of Jesus wherever we find evil and crime and hatred..." he told the congregation...
In an interview with ABC7 News in the Bay Area, Barber said he was talking a walk and praying the rosary near the cathedral when he noticed a young man following him.
...the young man put a gun in his face "and said give me your wallet," Barber explained. "He said give me the cash, so I gave him the cash, and then he said give me that ring."
The prelate gave the robber his bishop's ring, and the young man, who he said appeared to be in his 20s, sped off on his bike...
The bishop was not injured but was very shaken up. The Oakland Police Department is investigating the incident.
...Barber addressed growing gun violence and other crime in a May 6 statement.
He noted that gun violence and homicides "have risen at an alarming rate this year in Oakland"; as of May 27, the city recorded its 54th homicide of 2021. He called on the Catholic faithful to pray for an end to gun violence in our neighborhoods and communities."
...
"We know we are brought into this world to love... "Sadly our human nature is not always true to God's intent for us. Violence is due to sin, and it seems to be escalating again in Oakland field by a proliferation of guns in our homes and on our streets."
(Excerpt) Read more at ncronline.org ...
He didn’t shoot him. Which was nice.
Yeah, gee, he can’t be all bad.
What, no silver candlesticks?
OAKLAND. NEVER MIND!! Where even the clergy are stupid.
With a detailed description like that, I bet that the police will collar the perpetrator in no time!
Regards,
I have prayed about being in this particular situation. Point a gun at me in a robbery and I will respond with lethal force, in self defense. But I don’t want to kill anyone who might one day be redeemed so I asked God to see that I only cross paths with those irredeemable thugs that need to be removed from this Earth. I trust God to answer prayers and knowing that, I feel comfortable responding with lethal force if accosted.
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