December 22, 2014 – Bishop Kettler’s Statement Re: Meeting with Islamic Center Leaders

December 22, 2014

BISHOP KETTLER’S STATEMENT RE: MEETING WITH ISLAMIC CENTER LEADERS

Bishop Donald Kettler of St. Cloud released the following statement after a meeting today with leaders of the Central Minnesota Islamic Center regarding recent acts of vandalism reported there:

“I appreciated the opportunity to meet today with leaders of the Central Minnesota Islamic Center to hear their concerns and assure them of my prayers and support following several incidents of vandalism targeting the center. These destructive acts are wrong and must be condemned. They are particularly disturbing when they are perpetrated against a house of worship in a nation founded on principles of religious freedom for all.

“In light of these incidents, we, as a people of many faiths in the St. Cloud area who believe in the sacred dignity of every human person, must redouble our efforts to educate our communities and dispel the fear and intolerance that are often at the root of this sinful behavior. We also must continue our efforts to build bridges of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding among our area’s various cultural and religious traditions.

“In these final days of the Advent season, as we Christians prepare for the important feast of Christmas, we are reminded again that Christ came into this world to bring light and dispel darkness. May we be that light today in our churches and communities — a sign of hope and peace for all to see.”