Yesterday afternoon I learned that city and state law enforcement officials were cooperating to allow marchers to enter the Dan Ryan in a way that would secure the safety of all. Let us give thanks that all came together to achieve a peaceful march today.

History has proven many times that non-violent action and peaceful protest have the power to create change. The change we need in this moment is to end a culture of violence and indifference. This is a priority we must all embrace and for which we must all work.

There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.

Lord of all the earth, as you breathed life into nature and humanity at creation, so, too on this Pentecost Day, you breathe your spirit on us, enlivening us and bringing us to new life as you did Jesus from the tomb.

When I announced our comprehensive anti-violence initiative last year I noted that ending the epidemic of violence would take many hands and minds, but that just because we could not do everything in the urgent time frame an epidemic requires, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do something. It is irresponsible to just shrug and declare the problem insolvable.

Our Scripture readings this night summon us to have the courage to walk together, but also to turn around and follow a new path opened by God. Just looking out over this assembly with leaders from other faith communities gives me that God-inspired courage and fills me with joy. We share the conviction of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that each of our faith traditions must be ever ready to purify whatever holds us back from pursuing justice.

Welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides of Chicago as he is enthroned today at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

The governor’s decision to veto a bill that would have required firearms dealers to be licensed by the state is deeply disappointing. No one believes that this or any one bill can be a comprehensive solution to the plague of violence afflicting our nation, but licensing these dealers, would have been one step in the journey toward making our state safer.

Last week, we watched the Senate fail to protect young immigrants affected by the uncertain future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which is set to end on March 5.

For the eighteenth time in this short new year, we must join in prayer and sorrow at an act of madness carried out in what should be a safe haven, an American school. These victims have been robbed of their futures, but so have their parents, classmates and our nation.