Local Religious Leaders Shocked, Saddened By Charleston Church Shooting
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Local clergy reaction is pouring in, responding to the mass murder of nine people at a historic church in Charleston.
Numb and shocked.
Reverend Mark Tyler experienced a range of emotions when he heard that his friend and fellow African Methodist Episcopal Pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight of his congregants had been murdered.
"I also thought about my own congregation that I pastor and serve, how easily that could have us, my family, the members I love."
Like Pinckney, Tyler's church is historic. It's the first AME Church in the nation and visited by people of all races around the world.
He's sending condolences, while preaching faith and resilience.
"God is with us."
Meanwhile in Germantown, faith leaders held a long planned meeting on race. Their message it's time to fight and pray.
Reverend Gregory Holston of Vision United Methodist says, "When terrorist attacks come upon you, you cannot fear, you cannot tower, you have to stand up."
They say the battle is just getting started.