Photo: Deacon Larry Gayton, Father Bill Rutkowski and Father Frank Voris, OFM Cap (not pictured) stand with leaders of the Saginaw African American Pastors group at the New Missionary Baptist Cathedral in Saginaw on June 17, 2022.
On Friday, local Christian leaders, representatives from law enforcement, politicians and concerned citizens gathered to call for action, prayer and unity in the face of recent violence in Saginaw.
In response to requests from the family of shooting victims, Deacon Larry visited and prayed with the victims and their spouses at a hospital in Saginaw.
He was uplifted when he saw members of the community working together to speak out against the violence and offering prayers and specific assistance.
Deacon Larry Gayton speaks about the importance of working together to make a difference
Father Bill Rutkowski, who serves as Vicar General for the Diocese of Saginaw, also participated in the event. Father Bill was impressed with the unity and resolve of local Christian leaders and also believes that members of the Catholic community should be aware that violence can happen in any place and that Catholics and all people should discourage the use of violence in resolving problems.
In the end, all those who gathered at the event in Saginaw agreed that the local community should work together to prevent and discourage violence and to offer ways to help.
Father Bill Rutkowski discusses the importance of speaking out against violence
