Local priest addresses CT shootings

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- A local Catholic priest addressed the tragic school shooting in Connecticut during Saturday's Mass, denouncing a "culture of violence."

Father Ron Brassard of the Immaculate Conception Church addressed the shootings in his homily Saturday, urging parishioners to pray, love one another, and eliminate violence in all forms.

"Evil has become real, tangible, and frightening beyond words," he told parishioners.  Fr. Brassard told Eyewitness News that he was so saddened by the events in Newtown that he decided to dedicate his homily to the topic.

"We also have to become conscious of the need to work to eradicate violence from our society," Fr. Brassard told Eyewitness News, "in our films, in our television programs, in our behaviors, in our games, in our books.  We've created a culture of violence."

He told the assembled worshippers that there was no way to run away from the tragic events in Connecticut, but that everyone had to move forward and do what they could to prevent such tragedies in the future.

"We cannot allow this evil to destroy us, for Christ is our light," Fr. Brassard said.