Evans funeral Mass was held at noon at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and officiated by Bishop William D. Byrne of the Springfield Diocese. Byrne had previously been pastor at St. Peter s Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The funeral was private with family and friends, and a long list of public officials including Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, U.S. Rep. Richie Neal, state Sen. Adam Hinds, state Reps. John Barrett III and William Smitty Pignatelli, North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard and City Councilors Lisa Blackmer and Jason Laforest and Adams officials. A contingent from the Capitol Police were also in attendance along with local, state, and regional law enforcement, including Adams Police Chief Scott Kelley, North Adams Police Chief Jason Wood, and Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn.
Two Catholic members of US Congress reflect on attack, work ahead Assault on US Capitol was a threat not just to this space, but to the idea of America, a congressman said
Updated: January 12, 2021 05:49 AM GMT
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A demonstrator, who wished to remain anonymous, holds a US National flag as the Washington National Guard, State Patrol and a fence surround the state Capitol as the Legislature opens the 2021 session in Olympia, Washington on January 11, 2021. (Photo: Jason Redmond / AFP)
Seeing the U.S. Capitol building being stormed by a rioting mob on Jan. 6 brought a visceral reaction from Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska. Fortenberry, who is Catholic and often attends daily Mass at St. Peter s Church on Capitol Hill called the attack a desecration.
Two Catholic members of Congress reflect on Capitol attack, work ahead
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., is seen in this undated photo. (CNS photo/Kristie Boyd, U.S. House Office of Photography)
By Mark Zimmermann • Catholic News Service • Posted January 12, 2021
WASHINGTON (CNS) Seeing the U.S. Capitol building being stormed by a rioting mob Jan. 6 brought a visceral reaction from Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska. Fortenberry, who is Catholic and often attends daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, called the attack a “desecration.”
The rioters broke through windows and doors, overwhelmed Capitol Police lines and rampaged through the building, causing members of Congress and staff to flee to secure areas, as the mob proceeded to ransack congressional offices and wander into the abandoned Senate chamber.