Bishop Robert Baron of Minnesota has publicly criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after the mayor dismissed a call for prayer following the tragic school shootings that occurred at a Catholic school. Baron described Frey’s comments as “completely asinine.”
“Catholics don’t believe that prayer magically prevents suffering. Remember, Jesus prayed fervently even while on the cross,” Baron shared. His remarks came after a shooting at Announcement Catholic School in Minneapolis left two children dead and injured 18 others during morning mass. The FBI has stated it is treating the incidents as potential domestic terrorism and hate crimes aimed at Catholics.
Witnesses noted that the shooter had left behind anti-religious writings in a manifesto and had inscribed a similar message on his firearms.
In a press briefing following the tragedy, Frey criticized the notion of praying for the victims. “We shouldn’t focus on ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now. These children were literally praying,” he said, emphasizing that it was their first week back at school and they were in church at the time.
His statements echoed sentiments from various Democratic officials and some liberal media outlets that have brushed off faith-based calls for action in light of such tragedies.
Bishop Baron, a respected figure in the Catholic community and the leader of the Parish of Winona Rochester, argued that critics are missing the purpose of prayer. He remarked, “Prayer is an expression of my heart’s yearning for God, and it doesn’t conflict with taking moral action. Look at Martin Luther King—he was a man of deep prayer who inspired social change.”
Baron insisted that the shooting should be classified as an intentional act of anti-Catholic violence. He pointed out that violence against Christians, and specifically Christian churches, has surged by a staggering 700% in the past seven years in the U.S.
“If a synagogue is attacked during prayer, it’s widely acknowledged as an anti-Semitic act. Similarly, if a mosque is targeted while prayers are happening, it’s recognized as anti-Islamic. Why should it be any different for Catholics?” he inquired.
The Conservative Family Research Council has also documented a rise in attacks on churches, with a recent report revealing 415 incidents against 383 churches across 43 states this year.
Bishop Baron expressed his willingness to refer to the two slain children as “martyrs,” viewing their deaths as tragic yet powerful demonstrations of faith. He recognized that such tragedies provoke deep inquiries about evil, but he also highlighted the hopeful message of the gospel, even in suffering.
“We understand that God is all-powerful, but we also live in a world where evil exists. Sometimes, God allows certain evils to unfold to bring about unseen greater goods. As St. Paul noted, ‘Death, death on the cross.’ We may not comprehend why God permits evil, but we can trust that He accompanies us through our struggles,” he concluded.
Catholic Vice President JD Vance also spoke out in support of prayer in a social media post directed at MSNBC’s Jen Psaki. “We pray because our hearts ache. We pray because we believe God is listening and can act in mysterious ways,” he stated. “Why do children feel compelled to attack others in their moments of prayer?”
A spokesperson for Frey’s office defended the mayor’s statements, asserting, “The mayor has always maintained that thoughts and prayers must be accompanied by actions and solutions. One does not negate the other.”
