Episcopal Press and News
Presiding Bishop's Statement on Kennedy's Death
Diocesan Press Service. December 6, 1963 [XVI-2]
This statement from Presiding Bishop Lichtenberger was read during a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, when the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for the burial of the dead were used, Monday, Nov. 26, in the Chapel of Christ the Lord in the Episcopal Church Center.
The Rt. Rev. John B. Bentley, National Council first vice president and Overseas Department director, was the celebrant. He was assisted by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Corrigan, Home Department director, the Rev. Canon Charles Guilbert, secretary, and the Rev. Tollie Caution. The Presiding Bishop and Mrs. Lichtenberger attended the service.
"Within a very short time after the news of the assassination of President Kennedy, I released a statement on this shocking and incredible event. I said what everyone was saying--that I was shocked and saddened, that we expressed our sympathy to the family of President Kennedy and assured them of our prayers, and that we thanked God for the life of this courageous man.
"Now, a day later, I believe I can express what was yesterday only a vague and fleeting thought. It is this:
"Whoever fired the shot that killed John Kennedy, we as citizens of this country are involved in this terrible act. Insofar as we have shrugged off the frequent expressions of bitterness and hate made by people on the extreme left or the extreme right as of no threat to our country; when we have said of acts of violence perpetrated as protests against the decisions and acts of our federal or state government--'they do not express the real feelings of the people of our land'--we by our indifference and our apathy have weakened the power of love and Justice.
So as we pray for John Kennedy, his family and for the man who has now taken on the heavy burden of the chief executive of our country, let us pray also for ourselves and for all the people of this land, that we may be makers of peace. That we may stand firm against all who would sow discord and violence, and that we may, by God's grace, be enabled to make it evident in our time that love, which is of God, can overcome hatred and evil."