(LEX 18)– Gun violence is a topic on the minds of many, especially after recent attacks on several faiths. From last weekend’s synagogue shooting in California to the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka and the mosque shooting in New Zealand, all faiths are being targeted.
LEX 18 spoke with three people from three different walks of life united for one cause…ending gun violence.
At first glance, you may think a Catholic leader, Rabbi, and the mother of a victim of gun violence wouldn’t have much in common. But the three are united by their fight against gun violence.
Anita Franklin has made it her mission to bring attention to the issue since her son Antonio was shot and killed in Duncan Park in 2014. Now she unites with faith leaders who have the same goal. J.R. Zerkowski, the Director of Stewardship for Saint Paul Catholic Church/Founder of the Lexington UNITED Interfaith Encounters and Dialogues, and Rabbi Wirtshafter of Temple Adath Israel are by her side.
Their goal is simple, they want all faiths and ethnicities to be united.
“We are all beautifully different on the outside, but really on the inside, we are all the same and that’s what we need to teach people,” said Franklin.
“An attack on a house of worship, on God’s house anywhere, is an assault on God’s house of worship everywhere and we will not stand by idly while this kind of thing happens in the city of Lexington,” said Rabbi Wirthshafter.
This Monday, the invite everyone to gather at Saint Paul Catholic Church for a service to find the common ground to prevent further shootings in places of worship, or innocent bloodshed like what happened to Anita’s son or at church services around the world.
“It’s the only way we can save ourselves, save others and save the community for what it is supposed to be and that is a place where love lives and brothers and sisters come together to work for the common good,” said Zerkowski.
The “United in Blood” service will begin at 7 p.m. on May 6th and everyone is invited to attend.
