Statement on the death of Matthew Shepard

Archbishop Charles Chaput, in Rome in mid-October for ad limina discussions with the Holy Father and Vatican officials, learned of Matthew Shepard's murder after the most recent Denver Catholic Register had gone to press. He issued the following statement from Rome.

For American Catholics, October is our annual "respect life" month. But in Colorado this year, it's a time of particularly bitter irony.

Matt Shepard was a well-liked young man with supportive parents and high hopes for the future. When he died in a Fort Collins hospital earlier this month after a savage beating in Wyoming, apparently inspired by his homosexuality, we all got another lesson in the hardness of the human heart. As a society and as individuals, we talk a good line about the need to respect human life and the sacredness of the human person. But again and again, we resort to violence against others out of fear or anger or callousness. We forget that violence against people perceived to be on society's margins, including homosexuals, is as poisonous in God's eyes as violence against the unborn, the disabled and the elderly. Every person is a child of God.

Contempt, harassment and violence — including violence against homosexuals — only breed more violence. They're grave sins. They create a culture of death directly opposed to the Gospel.

It is my earnest hope that Catholics throughout northern Colorado will remember Matt Shepard in prayer this week, and pray as well for his parents, who have endured this loss with great dignity. Nor, despite the turmoil of our feelings, should we forget to pray for those accused of his murder — who also remain God's children.