(RNS) — As news of the mass shooting at a welcome-back Mass for the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis spread across the country on Wednesday (Aug. 27), Catholic educators and church leaders sprang into action, reinforcing safety protocols and consoling students, even as they worked to process their own emotions about an unprecedented tragedy in which two children were killed and an additional 18 people were injured.
While many school leaders have become resigned to the necessity of preparing for potential school shootings, it was shocking to Catholics across the country to learn of an attack as students were gathered for worship.
Paul Escala, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ more than 250 Catholic schools, said school leaders “oftentimes assume that it’s going to be someone inside the school campus coming in through corridors.” This case “was unimaginable,” he said, “that you have an active shooter beginning their shooting on the outside of the church through the glass, which was low and close to the pews.”
Paul Escala, senior director and superintendent of Catholic schools for the Los Angeles Diocese. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Diocese
The unaccustomed situation of a school shooting occurring at a church has prompted the archdioceses of Los Angeles and Chicago to reinforce school safety plans to ensure their planning covers the time students spend at parish churches.
Karen Rebhan-Csuk, deputy superintendent of school support, said that the Archdiocese of Chicago’s more than 150 schools will now be practicing active shooter drills in churches.
“We’ve been very explicit with our schools and our churches that they need to now consider, if they hadn’t before, the sanctuary as an area that could also be at risk,” said Escala.
Both Escala and Rebhan-Csuk said their safety teams have been in contact with the FBI. Rebhan-Csuk added that their leadership is also learning from the Minneapolis police department.
Escala said Catholic schools are at an escalated threat level right now because of the potential for copycat attacks. “We always considered the possibility that this might have been directed at our faith and not necessarily just the (Annunciation) school.”
Despite security measures such as “cameras, security guards, door protection, window protection,” Escala said “this darkness finds its way in.” The superintendent said, “Sadly, people will find a way if they are determined.”
In Chicago, Rebhan-Csuk said school officials are looking for opportunities to improve their standa …