Marist School Echoes Archbishop Hartmayer's Statement on the McMichaels-Bryan Case Verdicts

Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William "Roddie" Bryan were convicted of murder in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

The Archbishop acknowledges that the verdicts do not bring an end to racism, but they do advance the work toward justice. He calls upon all of us to acknowledge and root out racism “in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and yes, even our churches.”

As a Catholic school animated by the spirit of the Society of Mary, Marist School recognizes its responsibility to teach our students to seek always and work for justice as reflected in one of the school’s essential goals for its graduates, to witness a belief in universal equality by the exercise of justice in personal decision-making and in advocating for the voiceless or forgotten. This is essential and important work, and we remain committed to it.

By Georgia Bulletin Staff  Published November 24, 2021

ATLANTA–Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., has released a statement in response to the verdicts rendered today in the case of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick:

“We continue to lift up the Arbery family in prayer as we join with countless others in grieving Ahmaud Arbery’s death. The violent loss of life is a wound in our community–one that does not heal easily. The conviction of those responsible for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery does not bring him back. It does not bridge the racial divide in our community. It does not bring to an end the sin of racism, but it does advance the work toward justice.

We still have plenty of work to do in America to live up to the ideals of justice and equality that we say we represent. Let us use this moment to rededicate ourselves to the intentional, difficult and uncomfortable work of naming and eradicating systemic racism.

We must see all of our brothers and sisters as children of God. We are called to acknowledge and root out racism in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and yes, even our churches. I hope you will join me in prayer, peace and restorative works of justice in this cause of respecting the human dignity of all.”