The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned Wednesday's siege at the Capitol and said "we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy."
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gómez issued a statement that was posted on the USCCB website, per Breitbart.
"I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol," Archbishop Gomez wrote Wednesday. "This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety."
A crowd protesting the presidential election results stormed the Capitol building and infiltrated the House and Senate chambers. Four people died Wednesday as a result of the riot.
"The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation," Gomez's statement continued. "In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.''
Vatican News reported Archbishop Gomez's statement followed "chaos that ensued after hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday in a bid to overturn his election defeat."
"Protesters battled police in the hallways and delayed the certification of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's victory for hours," the report said.
The Vatican publication also cited a statement by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, in which the first Black American cardinal called the Capitol "sacred ground."
"We Americans should honor the place where our nation's laws and policies are debated and decided," Gregory said. "We should feel violated when the legacy of freedom enshrined in that building is disrespected and desecrated."
The Cardinal added he was praying for the safety of "elected officials, staffers, workers, protesters, law enforcement personnel, and neighbors to the United States Capitol."
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