The Christian leader trying to break America’s link between faith and guns

Peter Cook says in the aftermath of the Buffalo racist shooting white Christian denominations have a duty to act

In the aftermath of the racist shooting that killed 10 on Saturday in Buffalo, the director of the New York State Council of Churches, the Rev Peter Cook, has been a constant presence at prayer gatherings and public memorials.

The organization he leads represents eight denominations to New York state government; and he has the ear of political leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, in shaping the political response to a massacre that targeted the Black community of East Buffalo - one that has been met with expressions of faith alongside anger and distress.