Community Message from Father Sicard
March 18, 2021
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
We are painfully aware of the recent violence in the Atlanta area that included the fatal shooting of six Asian-American women, along with two other people. Although the motive for these shootings has not yet been determined, these acts of violence are the latest in a series of horrific attacks against members of the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. More than 3,800 hate incidents have been reported in the past year; understandably, this has led to deep hurt and fear among these communities.
On May 5, the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops issued a powerful statement condemning such racism and xenophobia. They state:
“The acts of violence and unjust discrimination evoke and prod a long history of xenophobia and racism in this country. If uncontested, they could lead once again to a normalization of violence and abuse against particular groups. It would be a tragedy for the United States to repeat this history or for any American to act as if it is appropriate to do so.”
Providence College, like our bishops, unequivocally condemns these and all other heinous acts of injustice, racism, and violence. We stand in full support of the AAPI members of the Friar Family. And while we may feel powerless to stem the tide of the reprehensible tragedies that seem to plague our nation with ever-increasing frequency, there is something that we can do as members of a Catholic and Dominican community. In the midst of profound suffering and senseless violence, we can strive to be ever mindful that God alone can bring light out of seemingly impenetrable darkness. That He can bind up seemingly incurable wounds. That He can bring peace to situations where we can see only strife. And that He can bring deliverance to those who find themselves in chains due to sin and division. Indeed, these are the very mysteries that we are invited to meditate upon as the Church approaches the celebration of Easter and the new life it promises.
As always, as president, I encourage anyone who has experienced harassment or bias, or anyone in need of support, to reach out to the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; a chaplain or personal counselor; Human Resources; or any trusted member of the community.
Meanwhile, we pray for the victims in Atlanta and for their families, and we stand in solidarity with the AAPI members of our community, faculty, staff and students. I invite each member of our community to continue to work and pray for an end to all forms of bias, hate, and injustice.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kenneth Sicard, O.P.
President
