The death of Eddie Lopez earlier this year was a tragic day in the history of our city.He was a good kid on the right path,until his life was abruptly ended by a senseless act of violence. Along with the rest of our community, people of faith were shocked and saddened by the loss of yet another young life. Collectively, our faiths teach us that human life is precious.Seen in this light, violence against human beings is offensive on religious grounds, particularly if this violence is committed against the most precious among us, children and adolescents.We feel that for too long the faith community in Santa Monica has stood by on the sidelines of this issue. It is for all of these reasons that we are launching an interfaith community campaign against youth violence to make sure that every child in our community is safe.
Over the last several months, our congregations, working with LA Voice–PICO, have spent countless hours speaking with one another and other members of the community, as well as with elected, city and police officials throughout the region to build a movement on behalf of our youth.Through this process several things have become clear. First, the problem can only be addressed through a diverse partnership of government officials, elected officials, businesses and the community. Second, the faith community plays a specific and integral role in this partnership. Third, the problem of youth violence as it manifests itself is by nature regional and as such requires a regional approach.
We will launch this emerging campaign this Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2:30 p.m., at St. Anne’s Catholic Church and Shrine. On that day the area congregations of St. Anne’s, Beth Shir Shalom Synagogue, the Church in Ocean Park, St. Monica’s Catholic Church, First United Methodist of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Bay Interfaith Council will be hosting a town hall meeting on the issue.
We will be calling upon area leaders to work in covenant with the faith community. We will be asking them to create a regional plan on youth violence, coordinating the efforts of elected officials, social services and police agencies. There have been great strides made by the city of Santa Monica to address the issue. We recognize and respect those efforts. But the task is not completed.
Nothing we can do will undo the tragic loss of Eddie Lopez or any other past victim. But we will continue to honor the memory of his life by working to assure that every child and adolescent in our community is afforded every opportunity possible to succeed, in an atmosphere free of violence. When confronted with adversity and violence we have two alternatives: Turn inward and deny the problem or face the problem head-on and accept responsibility for its solution. We accept and embrace our duty to find a solution. Sunday is an important day, the first step in a journey towards peace. Although the journey is long, we are not alone. With faith in hand, we will fight for the lives of our children. (Father Mike Gutierrez is the pastor of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and Shrine and Rev. Janet McKeithen is the pastor of the Church in Ocean Park.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 15, 2006. Read the original PDF.