For Immediate Release
May 24, 2022
Contact: Brian Reardon
[email protected]

Statement by Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, President and CEO

[WASHINGTON, DC] – On behalf of Catholic health providers across the United States, we are horrified, but sadly not shocked, about the news of another massacre and loss of so many lives. The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) has long advocated for sensible firearms policies, including banning weapons that enable the slaughter of many people in a matter of seconds.  We also believe it is important to support research into the root causes of gun violence.

In recent weeks, CHA, our members, and nearly 300 national, state, and local medical, public health, and research organizations have urged Congress to provide $35 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and $25 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. In light of the senseless loss of lives in Uvalde and Buffalo, we urge Congress to act quickly and authorize funding that bolsters research into this critical public health issue.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.  But action is needed now.  Recent statistics from the CDC showed that gun homicides jumped 34% from 2019 to 2020.  It is imperative that we have the resources to better understand the root causes of firearm violence so that government and health care organizations can work together to reverse this devastating trend.  Thoughts and prayers alone are no longer acceptable for people of faith and goodwill.  We must act to bring an end to such senseless violence. 

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