Local religious leaders react following Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The tragic Minneapolis shooting is being felt by members of the religious community here in Savannah.

Two young children were killed and more than a dozen others were injured inside the Annunciation Catholic Church.

The shooting took place during a private catholic school’s mass, bringing into question how to protect parishioners around the nation.

Parents of students killed in Minneapolis church shooting share emotional pleas

WTOC spoke with a Deacon in the Diocese of Savannah and the president of Saint Vincent catholic high school.

Both of them reiterated that they are praying for all the families involved and this incident made them think of their own lives.

“To think that this would happen in a church when Children were at mass is just absolutely heartbreaking and devastating so our hearts are not only heavy and we’re praying for everyone in the community in Minneapolis, but we’re praying for our community and our safety and our catholic schools here in Savannah,” said President of Saint Vincent’s Mary Anne Hogan.

The deacon mentioned his kids, and the president, her students.

The shooter in Minneapolis struck during mass by shooting those who were in the pews.

Schools train their staff in case of an active shooter, but plans can change when worshipping in a church.

When we spoke with Saint Vincent’s president, she mentioned how mass is supposed to be a safe place to let your guard down.

She and her team have plans already in place, but continue to prepare to handle these issues if they arise.

“We actually have a training scheduled for November that was already in place prior to the shooting yesterday,” said Hogan. “So we’re always being proactive trying to find ways to make our campus safer and to empower our faculty and staff to make sure that in the event of something terrible to happen that they would have the tools ready and they would kick into their sixth sense and know what to do.”

She also mentioned that her school is regularly in contact with the neighboring cathedral, where students go for mass.

Deacon Kevin Knight has been in the Savannah diocese for years, and has watched as safety has become a greater priority since 1999.

“They’ve been changing ever since the first tragic event that everybody really recalls and that’s columbine,” said Knight. “Of course there’s always an ongoing change”

Knight believes the catholic faith helps to handle any potential threatening scenarios.

“We’re very fortunate being in a catholic setting. You kind of have a pretty good grip on pastoral care and through our faith,” said Knight. “I think that’s what is the healing force behind it all”

Despite this, there still are questions.

Knight says they have security plans in place, but did not disclose specifics. He believes security measures leave parishioners feeling safe about their surroundings.

“As a community we do feel safe I believe most of our community will feel safe,” said Knight.

Both Knight and Mary Ann Hogan said they aim to protect churchgoers like family.