A letter from Father Jenkins to the Emanuel AME Church of Charleston | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame






	
	





  	Skip To Content
	Skip To Navigation
	Skip To Search






  
  
    University of Notre Dame

    
      
      Notre Dame News

      
      
    


    
    
      
        
        
        	
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us
	


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      


      
    


    
    
      	 Home
	 Contact
	 Search
	
          
          
            
            
          
          Menu
        
        


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    

  

  
  

  

  
    	Home › 
	News › 
	A letter from Father Jenkins to the Emanuel AME Church of Charleston


    
      
        
          A letter from Father Jenkins to the Emanuel AME Church of Charleston

          
            
              
                
                Published: June 21, 2015
              

              
                Author: Dennis Brown
              

              







          

          
          
          

          
        
        
        
          To the congregation of Emanuel AME Church

Charleston, South Carolina

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Dear Friends in Christ:

On behalf of the University of Notre Dame, I extend our deepest condolences to the faithful of Emanuel AME Church on the tragic deaths of your pastor, Rev. Clementa Pickney, and your fellow congregants. You welcomed a stranger into your midst to join you in prayer and reflection on the word of God. It is hard to find words to describe our shock and sadness in learning that it was precisely this one you welcomed as a brother who senselessly killed your pastor and your sisters and brothers. We struggle to comprehend that darkness.

And yet, however deeply dark that event, it was answered by the inspiring light of Nadine Collier, Alana Simmons and others in speaking words of forgiveness for the man accused of murdering their loved ones.

As we reflect on the darkness of the shooting and the light of your forgiveness, we see the death of Christ answered by the resurrection, the cross answered by the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. You have shown us the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection reflected in the lives of His faithful people. As we gather for prayer this Sunday, you will be at the heart of our prayers. We will ask that God give you some peace and consolation, but we will also pray in gratitude for the witness you have given everyone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.

Alana, whose grandfather Rev. Daniel Simmons was killed, said, “Hate won’t win.” It will not, with faithful people like you. We stand with you in sadness but hope in the love of Christ.

In Christ,

Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C.

        

        
        
          
            
              Posted In:

              	Faith


            

            

          

        
      
      
    
  
  
    	Home
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us


  

  
  
    
      
      
      
        
          Related

          
            

    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      




October 03, 2022

    
    
      dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 22, 2022

    
    
      In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 15, 2022

    
    
      In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 15, 2022

    
    
      Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 14, 2022

    
    
      Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture
    

  

          
        
    
     
  
  

  
  
    
      	For the Media
	Contact


    
            
    
      
	Office of Public Affairs and Communications


      Notre Dame News

      
        
          
            500 Grace Hall
 
            Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
          
          
          
          
        

        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 Pinterest


        
      

      
© 2022 University of Notre Dame

    
    
      

        
      
      
        
          	Search
	Mobile App
	News
	Events
	Visit
	Accessibility


        
        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 LinkedIn