Bishop Barron Rebukes Minneapolis Mayor Over Dismissal of Prayer After School Shooting

Photo: OSV News/Bob Roller

MINNEAPOLIS — Bishop Robert Barron of the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester sharply criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for dismissing calls for prayer in the wake of Wednesday’s deadly Catholic school shooting, calling the mayor’s comments “completely asinine.”

The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School left two children dead and 18 others injured during morning Mass. Authorities said the gunman left anti-religious writings in a manifesto and on his weapons. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is investigating the massacre as both a possible hate crime and domestic terrorism targeting Catholics.

At a press conference, Frey told reporters: “Don’t say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now — these kids were literally praying.” His comments echoed Democratic officials and media figures who criticized faith-based responses to mass shootings.

Barron countered that critics misunderstand the role of prayer. “Prayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God, which strikes me as altogether appropriate precisely at times of great pain,” he said, adding that prayer and decisive action are not in opposition. He also urged recognition of the attack as deliberate anti-Catholic violence, noting a surge in incidents targeting Christian churches.

"If someone attacked a synagogue while congregants were praying, would anyone doubt that it was an antisemitic act?" Barron asked. "If someone shot up a mosque while the devout were praying, would anyone doubt that it was an anti-Islamic attack? So, why would would we even hesitate to say that a maniac shooting into a Catholic Church while children are at prayer was committing an anti-Catholic act?"

The bishop described the two slain children as martyrs and said their deaths, though tragic, bore witness to faith. He acknowledged the mystery of suffering but emphasized God’s presence even in evil.

Vice President JD Vance, also Catholic, defended prayer on social media, while Frey’s office later clarified that the mayor believes prayers must be paired with action to address gun violence.

Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Nathanael of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago (GOARCH) and Abp. Daniel of the Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA) had each issued statements following a Wednesday morning shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

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