Princeton Theological Seminary to Host Prayer Vigil at 4 p.m. for Victims of AME Church Shooting

candlesPrinceton Theological Seminary will host a prayer vigil at 4 p.m. in Miller Chapel today in response to the shooting of nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina Wednesday night.

The public is welcome to attend the event. The seminary is located on Mercer Street in downtown Princeton. Miller Chapel will be open throughout the day for anyone who wants to pray in silence.

Craig Barnes, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, issued a statement today expressing sorrow over the attack and solidarity with the church.

“We weep today for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, who experienced the horror of a murderous attack in their sacred space; for the residents of Charleston who are reeling in light of this awful news and a massive manhunt; for black Americans who once again feel fear grip their hearts because of a racially-motivated act of extreme violence; and for all of us who are citizens of a nation that continues to struggle with the scourge of racism and its corresponding brutality,” Barnes said.

“We renew our commitment to answer the call of the scriptures to seek the welfare of the city as repairers of the breach and restorers of streets for living,” he said. “We must be agents of God’s reconciliation and peacemakers in the name of the Prince of Peace.”

A 21-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting nine people attending a Bible study was arrested for the attack today.  The man, Dylann Storm Roof .

The nine people who were slain during a Bible study at the historic black church in downtown Charleston included South Carolina State Sen. Clementa Pinckney, the church’s pastor.