Bishop offers prayers, stands with injured Catholic activist

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has offered his prayers to the Catholic activist who was injured after being shoved to the ground by police last week during an anti-racism rally in Buffalo.

“As Christians our obligation is to work toward truth, justice and peace,” said Bishop Scharfenberger, the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Buffalo. “We stand with all who demonstrate peacefully and speak out against abuse of power and injustice of every kind.

"Our prayers are with Martin Gugino for his full recovery, and also for his family who have had to confront this terrible ordeal with him. We honor Mr. Gugino’s witness and service to the Catholic Worker Movement.”

Gugino, 75, who has long been associated with the Catholic Worker Movement, suffered a brain injury after he approached a line of police officers during the protest in front of Buffalo City Hall and was pushed backward. Gruesome video and photos show police walking by his fallen body, his head in a pool of blood. Gugino’s condition has improved and he has started physical therapy, while two officers have been charged with second-degree assault.

The Catholic Worker Movement was founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933. Its goal was to “live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ.”