Reactions to Minneapolis Mayor’s Comments After School Shooting

Bishop Robert Baron has criticized local politicians, labeling their comments as “fully acinin,” particularly after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed the suggestion of prayer following a tragic shooting at a Catholic school this week.

Bishop Baron questioned the mayor’s understanding of the significance of seeking higher strength during difficult times. “Catholics don’t think prayer magically protects them from all suffering,” he remarked in a statement. “In the end, Jesus prayed fervently while on the cross.”

He added that prayer is integral to one’s connection with God, emphasizing that it goes hand in hand with meaningful action. “Martin Luther King was deeply committed to prayer and made a significant impact on our country’s social change. It’s not simply one or the other,” the bishop explained.

This unfortunate incident occurred during morning mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, resulting in injuries to two children, and reports indicate that fourteen others were hurt. The FBI is treating the attack as a potential domestic terrorism incident and a hate crime directed against Catholics.

The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who had transitioned from Robert. He reportedly left behind anti-religious writings and, tragically, took his own life following the assault.

Mayor Frey responded to the situation by criticizing those focusing solely on prayer. “We shouldn’t say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now. These kids were literally praying,” he stated. “It was the first week of school. They were in church.”

Bishop Baron also emphasized that this incident should be recognized as a deliberate act of anti-Catholic violence. He pointed out the alarming rise of violence against Christians and churches in recent years, questioning whether the tragedy in Minneapolis reflects a broader trend.

Support for the value of prayer during such tragic moments came from various voices. Catholic Vice President JD Vance defended the importance of prayer after a comment made by MSNBC host Jen Psaki, expressing his discontent with the phrase “thoughts and prayers.”

During a visit to Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Vance joined his audience in prayer. “We pray because our hearts are broken,” he wrote in response to the criticism of prayer as insufficient action. “Why do we attack others for praying when our children are involved?”

A spokesperson from Mayor Frey’s office clarified his position, stating that while he has always advocated for action alongside prayer, these two elements are not mutually exclusive. “Every year, students are affected by gun violence. Enough is enough,” the spokesperson noted.