Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
Alabama-West Florida Conference | Oct. 6, 2025
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, who leads the Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama conferences, is calling for prayer and action after gun violence ended the lives of at least two people and injured at least 12 others Oct. 4 in downtown Montgomery.
"With aching hearts, we grieve with all of our sisters and brothers in Montgomery, Alabama, where gun violence has ended the lives of multiple people and injured many more in a mass shooting," the bishop begins his Oct. 6 statement to Alabama-West Florida Conference members.
"We pray for the wounded, for the families, friends, and loved ones of those lost, and for the survivors who witnessed such carnage. We cry out to God to surround each and every person affected with comfort, healing, and peace."
Holston urged unified voices to proclaim together, '"This must end," and then to cooperate in churches and communities to counter the proliferation of guns and violence. "This tragic reality does not just exist in Montgomery alone for it is a nationwide epidemic. It does not have to be this way," he writes.
"Our divisive opinions are not helpful," he writes, calling instead for positive efforts that make a difference. He mentioned that some Montgomery churches are "partnering with one another to be a source of hope and healing after Saturday’s shooting."
Read bishop’s statement. Read also A Message from Bishop Holston and the Council of Bishops Regarding Gun and Political Violence, published September 12.