UUA President Rev. Peter Morales
Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), issued the following statement on Friday, January 14, 2011, in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
As we honor the life of one of history’s great civil rights leaders this weekend, I am filled with awe when I consider the resilience, faith, and sheer bravery of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am grateful for his profound and lasting influence upon our country. As I reflect on his legacy, I cannot help but wonder how much more Dr. King could have accomplished had his life not been cut short in one terrible moment.
America is once again reeling from the news of lives tragically cut short by violence. Dr. King devoted his life to the nonviolent pursuit of a community where love, justice, and human dignity reign. His life was taken while working for peace, understanding, and economic justice. Sadly, his work is far from finished. His work is now our work, the work of each one of us.
So I ask you now: Let this weekend be a chance to come together in community, in peace, and in solidarity with each other. Whether we share the same faith, agree on the issues of the day, or face the same challenges, on this day let us stand together on the side of love.
The UUA is a faith community of more than 1,000 self-governing congregations that bring to the world a vision of religious freedom, tolerance, and social justice. For more information on the UUA, including recent press releases and news articles, please visit our online press room. For more information on the UUA’s anti-oppression efforts, visit Standing on the Side of Love.