Terrorist Threat Targets Upcoming Beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton Sheen
On Thursday, tens of thousands of Catholics are expected to gather in St. Louis for the Mass of beatification of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, an important milestone just short of sainthood.
However, as the event approaches, a serious concern has arisen. The Archdiocese of St. Louis received a terrorist threat just about a week prior to the celebration, which will be officiated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
According to the office of St. Louis County prosecutor Melissa Price Smith, a 32-year-old man named Jeremiah Robinson from St. Genevieve made alarming declarations in a TikTok video posted on September 15. He claimed to be only two minutes away from the archdiocese’s offices and asserted that “God had instructed him” to act without discernment, labeling everyone entering the church as guilty and expressing intentions to kill them.
The situation escalated when Robinson allegedly filmed a second video from the parking lot of the archdiocese offices, proving his proximity to the site. In this subsequent video, he continued to assert he had been told to “leave no one breathing,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has yet to issue a comment regarding the incident when approached by Blaze News. Following the threat, the FBI National Operation Center alerted local police, prompting a swift evacuation of the archdiocese’s offices in Shrewsbury, Missouri.
After conducting a thorough sweep with bomb detection dogs, authorities confirmed that the building was secure. Robinson was charged with making a first-degree felony terrorist threat on September 16 and is currently held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a cash-only bond of $100,000.
Brecht Mulvihill, executive director of communications for the archdiocese, expressed gratitude toward law enforcement for their rapid response. He emphasized that the safety of all who serve the Church is paramount and called for an end to the violence and hatred that has become distressingly common on social media.
It’s important to note that Catholic churches nationwide have faced increased attacks, including arson, vandalism, and other violent acts in recent years. Earlier incidents include a shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis in August 2025, resulting in injuries to 17 individuals and the tragic deaths of two children. In another case, a man in New Mexico reportedly opened fire at Genevieve’s Catholic Church, although that incident did not lead to any injuries.
