The Order of Carmelites affirmed their commitment to peace and justice in light of the protests against police brutality.

The Carmelites cited Pope Paul VI’s 1972 World Day of Peace message and The Church’s Teachings as their motivation to denounce racism, Salpointe Catholic High School reported..

“We, the members of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province of the Order of Carmelites, want to add our voices to the thousands who are speaking out against injustices in our world,” the order said in their correspondence posted on Salpointe Catholic High's website. “Although the current situation was stoked by the horrible death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we know that similar situations have occurred for many years in many places. These events, based on differences in color, creed, sexual orientation, financial status, etc., are the sad result of a system that has lost sight that each person is a creation of God as we believe from our reading of Sacred Scripture.”

The Carmelites drew on past experience that revealed today's upheaval will diminish, though all of us will carry the injustice with us. Each of us needs to get rid of any hatreds or prejudices forever, the Carmelites said in their letter.

The letter also referenced the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ call to not turn a blind eye to atrocities while asserting to respect the sanctity of life.