Iowa bishop says diocese stands ‘in solidarity’ with local police

In response to the fatal shootings Nov. 2 of two police officers, Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines said the diocese stands in solidarity with members of the local police force.

The Catholic community “extends heartfelt prayer and sympathy to the families and friends of the two police officers who were killed in the line of duty,” the bishop said in a statement. Bishop Pates is a former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The two Des Moines-area police officers were shot shortly after 1 a.m. local time less than 2 miles apart in separate ambush-style attacks while they were in their patrol cars. Eight hours later, authorities apprehended a man suspected in the killings.

“This painful moment calls for a full investigation of the incidents, a response of justice and a continuing conversation of the entire community in seeking to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner,” said Bishop Pates, adding that one particular concern is that needs to be addressed is the “widespread proliferation of guns which makes such violence possible in the first place.”

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