“As faith representatives of this great country we reaffirm that every life is equally precious regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or nationality,” proclaimed Imam Kareem Irfan in his impassioned remarks in Daley Plaza on July 19. “Regardless of the color of our skin or the color of our uniforms, we cry out in anguish and pain for every life lost, every family torn apart, for every future destroyed by the indiscriminate violence that is rampant today.”

Irfan delivered his remarks as part of the annual prayer service for peace sponsored by the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. The event took on added gravity this year in light of recent domestic attacks in Orlando, Dallas and Baton Rouge and the attacks in Turkey and Nice, France.

“Let us commit to acting together as a nation toward lasting peace for all,” he told those gathered in the plaza at noon.

Leaders from various faith traditions participated including the Society of Friends (Quakers), Baha’i, Islam, Zoroastrian, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. Father Thomas Baima, vicar for ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Viatorian Father Mark Francis, president of Catholic Theological Union, represented the Catholic community during the service.

Leaders read prayers and reflections praying for peace in hearts, homes, neighborhoods, the nation and the world.

Archbishop Cupich joined in calls for peace when he issued statements relating to the recent tragedies. Of the July 14 attack on people gathered for Bastille Day in Nice, France, he said, “Let us not succumb to the temptation to despair or to a fear that divides us. Rather let us honor the memory of these men, women, and children by renewing our sense of unity and solidarity.”

Of the July 7 attack on police officers in Dallas, he said, “It is time to break the cycle of violence and retaliation, of fear and powerlessness that puts more guns in our homes and on our streets. Our hearts and minds need to change so our country can change.”

Of the July 17 attack on police in Baton Rouge, he said, “These times test our highest principles, as Americans, as believers. But we have been tested before. And we will be again. Passing such trials will require us to hold fast to our values of peace, tolerance, liberty, equality and love of neighbor — the very values perpetrators of violence seek to undermine.”

For the complete text of his statements, visit archchicago.org/newsreleases_16.shtm#stmnts.