WASHINGTON—Following the tragic shooting early this morning in Thousand Oaks, California, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for the enactment of reasonable measures to end gun violence.

The full statement of Cardinal DiNardo follows:

“Many of us learned at dawn today that at least a dozen people died early this morning in a shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, CA, outside of Los Angeles.  Early reports indicate that the bar was filled with college students, and among the dead are a law enforcement officer as well as the shooter himself.

We must bring this tragedy to the Lord in prayer.  This new incident of gun violence strikes just as the funerals are barely complete from the last mass shooting.  More innocent lives are lost because of one individual and his ability to procure weapons and commit violence.  The bishops continue to ask that public policies be supported that would enact reasonable gun measures to help curb this mad loss of life.

Only love can truly defeat evil.  Love begets love, and peace begets peace, but anger, hatred and violence breed more of the same.   Today we pray for the victims and their loved ones and all those impacted by this senseless violence. Let us pray that “In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Lk. 1:78-79.”