Street gangs are becoming epidemic in the State of Maryland. This is not only the case in Baltimore City, but also reaching out to every county and suburb in the State. The information below serves to provide a basic resource regarding gangs and gang violence. It is recommended that all persons serving youth in both parishes and schools read the following articles so that they may better be aware, prevent, identify, and intervene appropriately in regards to gangs.
As Catholics, we are called to overcome violence and seek peace through love. Pope Benedict XVI stated:
We have need of the God who overcomes on the cross, who does not conquer with violence, but with his love. Precisely at this time we have need of the Face of Christ to know the true Face of God and so be able to take reconciliation and light to this world. For this reason, together with love, with the message of love, we must also take the testimony of this God, of God's victory, precisely through the nonviolence of his cross.
(July 25, 2005, Rhemes-Saint-Georges, Italy)
