Bishops United Against Gun Violence has chosen Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez of Pennsylvania and Bishop Steven Miller of Milwaukee as new co-conveners. They join Bishop Ian Douglas of Connecticut, who has served as co-convener since the group’s founding in 2013.
Gutiérrez and Miller succeed co-conveners Mark Beckwith, who retired as Bishop of Newark earlier this year, and Bishop Eugene Sutton of Maryland. Sutton will continue his work with Bishops United by helping to lead the group’s public events and witnesses, and Beckwith is discerning a role as the group’s liaison to civic and faith-based groups that share its commitment to gun violence prevention.
“As a founding member of Bishops United, I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead,” Miller said. “I helped to start the network in the aftermath of the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and working to end gun violence has been a central part of my episcopal ministry.”
“Gun violence prevention strikes very close to my heart,” said Gutiérrez, a native of New Mexico who joined the network in 2016 when he was ordained a bishop. “Living in Philadelphia, I see the scourge of urban gun violence in our community, and as a native of the West with family members who are in the military and serve as police officers, I have a particular perspective to offer on this issue.”
“I am grateful to Steve and Daniel for agreeing to join me in convening Bishops United and to Mark and Eugene for their willingness to assume new leadership positions that will expand our reach and effectiveness,” Douglas said. “Together we will continue our witness to the God of life who, even in the face of death, calls our church to speak and act decisively against the unholy trinity of poverty, racism, and violence.”
