Pastors urge community to work against racism at Greensburg prayer vigil

Pastors from several Westmoreland County denominations urged the community to begin standing against prejudice, violence and abuse of power during a prayer vigil Saturday outside the courthouse in Greensburg.

“We’ve forgotten how to love one another. We’ve got to start laying aside skin color. … You’ve got to cast aside all the fears society has brought on us,” said Bishop Carl Jones Sr. of Greater Parkview Church in Greensburg.

Jones, one of the organizers, spoke to about 50 gathered at the ecumenical gathering in support of people making changes as a result of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.

“Black lives do matter,” Jones said. “Our brothers and sisters have been killed for literally no reason. And I want to you understand this: we’re not here to denigrate or downplay or try to rain on our policemen, because they are necessary and needed.

“But let’s seize this opportunity to embrace one another, not for ourselves but for future generations,” Jones said. “Love does conquer all.”

Another speaker, Bishop Dale Adams of LifeSpring Church in Greensburg, told the onlookers, many who were wearing Black Lives Matter shirts and carrying signs, that as a white pastor said he admits not knowing the fears many in black community have experienced.

“I don’t know what you’re going through, but I can tell you today I do hurt for you. That’s where we can start,” Adams said.

Adams noted the Bible teaches people that God provides the power for average people to “pull down strongholds” of evil such as racism.

The Rev. Mary Ann Schneider of Living Word Church in Penn Township told the gathering that if people “don’t learn to love their brother here on earth, how will you do it in heaven?”

Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle, rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg and managing director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg, read remarks prepared by Bishop Edward Malesic. Malesic could not attend because of a scheduled ordination of a priest.

“We stand in support of those who peacefully protest racism in any form; the Roman Catholic Church, recognizes racism as sin. Racism in our country is also a sign of our continuing disregard for the gift of human life, which comes to us from God,” Riffle said.

“However, no one should stand with those who rob their neighbors, burn their cities or promote anarchy instead of order,” Riffle said. “To honor the memory of George Floyd with such atrocities is very misguided.”

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Croyle of New Florence drove to the vigil with friends. The Ligonier Valley High School student said she has African American family members and wanted to support them and pay her respects to the memory of George Floyd.

“It’s really important for me to be here today,” she said.

Heather and Troy McClean of Jeannette said they attended to demonstrate to support the black community and show “that black lives matter, and the quality of black lives in our community does matter.”