Bishop condemns mayor’s dismissal of prayer after tragic Catholic school shooting

A gunman’s rampage at a Minneapolis Catholic school left hearts shattered and faith tested. On August 27, 2025, a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School during a morning Mass claimed two young lives and wounded 18 others. The tragedy has ignited a fierce debate over prayer’s place in mourning.

The attack unfolded during a sacred moment, as children gathered for worship, only to face unspeakable violence. Two children died, and 18 others were injured in what authorities now probe as a possible anti-Catholic hate crime. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the investigation, noting the gunman’s manifesto and firearms bore anti-religious writings.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sparked outrage by dismissing calls for “thoughts and prayers” at a press conference. “Don’t say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now — these kids were literally praying,” Frey declared, as if prayer itself failed them. His words struck a nerve, framing faith as futile in the face of such horror.

Community Mourns, Faith Defended

Grief-stricken mourners, including Susan Saly and Meagan Pierlouissi, laid flowers at a memorial outside Annunciation Catholic Church the next day. Their quiet act of remembrance stood in stark contrast to Frey’s pointed rejection of prayer. For many, prayer remains a refuge, not a punching bag.

Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic leader, swiftly rebuked Frey’s remarks, calling the slain children “martyrs.” “Prayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God, which strikes me as altogether appropriate precisely at times of great pain,” Barron told Fox News Digital. He deftly dismantled the mayor’s logic, noting prayer and action aren’t mutually exclusive.

Barron’s defense didn’t stop there. “Martin Luther King was a man of deep prayer, who also effected a social revolution in our country,” he said, reminding us that faith can fuel change, not hinder it. Frey’s dismissal risks alienating those who find solace in spiritual practice.

Rising Tide of Anti-Christian Violence

The shooting comes amid a disturbing surge in attacks on Christian sites. A Family Research Council report documented 415 attacks on 383 churches across 43 states in 2024 alone. Barron highlighted a 700% increase in violence against Christians over the past seven years, a statistic that demands attention.

“In the past seven years in our country, there has been a 700% increase in violent acts against Christians and Christian churches,” Barron told Fox News Digital. He questioned why anyone would hesitate to label this shooting an anti-Catholic act. The gunman’s hateful writings only bolster his point.

Barron drew sharp parallels to other faith-based attacks. “If someone attacked a synagogue while congregants were praying, would anyone doubt that it was an antisemitic act?” he asked. His rhetorical jab exposes a double standard in how anti-Christian violence is often downplayed.

Prayer’s Role in Crisis

Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, defending prayer’s value. “We pray because our hearts are broken,” Vance wrote on X, directly challenging MSNBC host Jen Psaki’s mockery. His words resonate with those who see prayer as a call to both reflection and action.

Frey’s office later attempted to soften his stance, claiming he meant prayer must be paired with action. “The mayor has always said that thoughts and prayers alone are not enough,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Yet, this clarification feels like damage control after his initial barb stung so deeply.

Barron offered a theological perspective, grounding his defense in Christian doctrine. “We know that God is all-good and all-powerful, and yet we also know that there are wicked people in the world who do terrible things,” he said. This acknowledgment of evil’s mystery doesn’t negate prayer’s power but underscores its necessity.

God’s Presence Amid Suffering

Barron further explained that God permits some evils to bring about greater goods, often unseen. “God is faithful in his love, but the ways of his providence are often inscrutable to us,” he told Fox News Digital. His words invite reflection, not resignation, in the face of tragedy.

The mayor’s rejection of prayer dismisses a practice that has sustained communities through centuries of suffering. Frey’s comment, “It was the first week of school – they were in a church,” seems to imply prayer’s irrelevance, ignoring its role in inspiring resilience. Such rhetoric risks trivializing a sacred response to grief.

As Minneapolis mourns, the clash between Barron and Frey reveals a deeper cultural divide. Prayer, far from being a hollow gesture, remains a vital lifeline for many, especially in times of unimaginable loss. Dismissing it doesn’t just sideline faith—it alienates those who cling to it for hope.