Thunder Bay mass shooting: Anglicans call for end to gunplay

The Anglican Church has joined calls for an end to gun violence following Sunday night’s shooting at Lower Carlton, St James, which left three men dead and another injured.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bishop Michael Maxwell said he was deeply saddened by the incident and extended condolences to the grieving families.

“On behalf of the Anglican Church, I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families who are grieving as a result of this ruthless act of violence,” he said, adding that the Church is moved by the spate of gun crime affecting the country.

“We are profoundly distressed by the continuing gun violence that wounds our society and diminishes the sense of safety, dignity, and respect for life that ought to characterise our communities.”

The bishop’s comments come as the country continues to react to the St James shooting, which police said occurred when gunmen exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group gathered on the beach at the Thunder Bay Beach Bar, leaving three families to grieve and several others hurt and living in fear.

Bishop Maxwell used the moment to appeal directly to the young and middle-aged who he said may feel driven toward illicit events.

“We once again appeal, especially to our young and middle-aged persons who may feel that violence or illegal activity is the only means of survival in these increasingly difficult times,” he said.

“We urge them to allow us to work alongside them in identifying and building more lifegiving alternatives – pathways that enable all of us to live peacefully on our island.”

He said the church remained committed to practical initiatives aimed at helping young people whose lives have been affected by difficult circumstances. 

“Through mentorship, sports, music, and other developmental programmes, we seek to equip them with the values, skills, and support necessary to make life affirming choices and to access opportunities for meaningful employment,” he said.

“It is our intention to intensify these efforts this year, in collaboration with community partners, with particular focus on creating viable pathways for their personal development so that they may choose to pursue dignified and purposeful lives without resorting to illegal activity in an effort to ‘make ends meet.’”

The bishop also said the church would continue to pray for those affected and for the country as a whole.“Our church will also continue to hold in prayer all those who have been affected, and our nation as a whole, as we journey through these deeply troubling times,” he said.

(SM)