South Bend Ministers Pray For The City, Give Buttigieg Recommendations For Change

More than two weeks after the fatal shooting of a black man in South Bend by a white police officer, ministers from across the city gathered to call for spiritual guidance. They also gave Mayor Pete Buttigieg a packet of recommendations to begin healing the city.

A dozen ministers from congregations around South Bend prayed in the lobby of the County-City building Monday morning. Many pleaded for an end to the shootings in South Bend and called for citizens to pray for love, peace, and truth. 

One of the organizers, Rev. Sylvester Williams, says it reminds him of a meeting they held almost a decade ago when South Bend was called a dying city. He says it’s not dying now, but he called it “very sick.” 

“And we’re all sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick,” he says.

Williams also gave Buttigieg a sealed envelope containing recommendations for ways to improve the relationship between the black community and police. 

Later in the evening, Buttigieg is expected to give an update on his recent talks with community leaders and will share new efforts to improve police and community relations.