NC Catholic churches increase security, observe 1st Sunday Mass since deadly Minnesota shooting
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Catholic churches across the country observed their first Sunday Mass since last week's devastating mass shooting at a Catholic parish in Minneapolis, which left two children dead and 18 other people injured.
In the Triangle and surrounding areas, many churches had an increased law enforcement presence as parishioners gathered not only to worship but also to pray for the victims and families affected by the tragedy.
Monsignor David Brockman, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, acknowledged the emotional effect the Minnesota shooting had here in Raleigh.
"This particular incident in Minneapolis, obviously, hits very close to home because it's a Catholic parish like ours," Brockman said. "We have a small Catholic school as well. And so, we've taken that safety very seriously here."
Brockman said that his church always maintains a visible and behind-the-scenes security presence.
"We also have a security committee that's at every mass. You just can't see them," he said. "And of course, part of the security is that, you know, those people aren't seen. They're part of the community. They are parishioners, and a lot of them are law enforcement."
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Parishioner Sharon Crenshaw said that though the police presence helps her feel safer, personal vigilance is still key.
"I think that others should be conscientious and try to protect each other," Crenshaw said. "You know, be vigilant, and if something doesn't seem right, ask for help, please."
Law enforcement and security experts are urging churches and schools to take a closer look at their building access as well as emergency protocols in the wake of the tragedy.
"We don't want to make it look like a fortress, but we also want to make sure that it's more difficult for someone that doesn't belong there to gain access," said Dr. Roy Taylor, a police procedure expert. "So, having good access control, the exterior doors are locked, that there may be a vestibule that people have to stop in to be vetted before they're allowed in."
Taylor added that running active-shooter drills can help prepare students or parishioners for worst-case scenarios. Most importantly, he said, communities need to look out for one another.
"In all the active shooters that we've done research on, there's always been some point where there was some intervention that would have been possible, had the right notifications been made," Taylor said.
As the community in Minneapolis begins the long road to healing, churches across the country continue to pray and reflect.
"Not only is it a great consolation for us, but it's also really as we unite ourselves with the Lord's wisdom and counsel, it's how we move forward," Brockman said.
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