WASHINGTON, D.C. _ The Council of Bishops President Bishop Ken Carter, who is also the resident bishop of the Florida Area, has issued the following statement in the aftermath of the mass shooting today in Jacksonville, Florida, USA:

“We are saddened again to learn of another mass shooting in Florida. We are praying for the people of the city of Jacksonville. We are grateful for the leadership of District Superintendent Jay Therrell and our churches across this community. They are already strong and vital influences for Christ in this area, and in the coming days they will become important communities of healing and intercession.

“As this is our third public mass shooting in as many years in Florida, and the 232nd mass shooting in the United States in 2018, we continue to unite our prayers with a call to our government officials at every level for a public response to the gun violence in our culture.”

Ken Carter
Bishop, Florida Conference and President, Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church