Parish and school safety has become a significant topic in the aftermath of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis Aug. 27 that resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to 17 others.
“I think about this daily,” said Charlie Lloyd, safety-security analyst in the diocesan Office of Risk Management. “I try to do things every day to make the security posture better without people really having to think about it.”
School safety has significantly improved according to Lloyd, who was a police officer and defensive tactics instructor in the Alexandria Police Department for 25 years. “Our schools, although not impenetrable, are very hard to get into because of the security protocols that we have in place,” he said. “Since I started working here in 2019, the security has been elevated to great heights.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge stressed the comprehensive nature of diocesan safety and security protocols. “We maintain a holistic set of standards for our parishes and schools,” he said. “We are grateful for collaborative relationships with commonwealth officials and experts in the field who continually advise the diocese on best practices. We strive always to exceed prevailing safety and security protocols as our parishes and school leaders work to maintain a safe environment for all.”
The diocese released a statement Sept. 2 in response to the Minneapolis shooting highlighting some of the enhanced protocols: “All parishes and schools expedited full compliance with 38 specific school security standards that cover, among other things, access control, badging, patrolling, perimeter security, response protocols, security audits, training, and vehicle access and monitoring.”
At the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Father Patrick L. Posey, rector, pointed to the “positive working relationship with the Arlington County Police Department, who has a routine presence on campus.”
“The cathedral and surrounding campus had been equipped with cameras for several years,” he said. “However, the renovations allowed us to upgrade significantly the number and quality both within the cathedral itself, Burke Hall, as well as externally around the perimeter of the cathedral and rectory. Additionally, the external doors to the cathedral received an update.”
Next door at the St. Thomas More Cathedral School, motion detectors and a dedicated staff person charged with school security have added to safety protocols. “Like any house of worship similarly situated in a metropolitan area, we must balance the notion of being an open and welcoming presence in our community with prudence and planning,” said Father Posey. “As such, we work in partnership with the diocese, our school, and local authorities to monitor and adapt to changing environments.”
Numerous safety precautions have been implemented recently at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria. “In June, the basilica added an off-duty police officer to be on site during the Sunday Masses from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., said Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector. “The officer is stationed outside, in front of the church, before and after the Masses. They also assist parishioners with crossing the streets. During the Mass, they are asked to stand inside, in the back of the church, to help monitor security there.”
The urban location of St. Rita Church and school in Alexandria also requires extra vigilance according to Father Christopher P. Christensen, pastor. He said that security has been strengthened recently, but he doesn’t want parishioners to live in fear.
“On a spiritual level, we know that our lives are not our own, and so we strive every day to draw closer to Our Lord,” he said. “We don’t know the day or the hour, but if we are always ready, we don’t have to. Further, God, who is our loving Father, has great care for us, down to the smallest details of our lives.”
In the aftermath of tragedy, Father Posey encourages Catholics to find strength in community. “Now, especially, it is vital that we come together to support one another, to encourage one another, to receive grace and peace which only Our Lord can give,” he said. “I think it is important to remember that we all are subject to apprehension — concerns over national and worldwide events and personal issues. We cannot escape it, as much as we would like to follow St. Paul’s directions to the Philippians to avoid anxiety. At the same time, remember what Isaiah says: ‘Do not fear; I am with you.’ “
“Our priests preach love, mercy, forgiveness, and trust in God, but always through the lens that this is a fallen world we live in, which is why we need to turn to our savior and redeemer Jesus — to repent and to grow in relationship with Our Lord,” said Father Hathaway. “The world needs more saints to bring more love and mercy to this broken world, so we always point to Christ as the way, the truth, and the life.”
