Faith leaders react to Minneapolis Catholic school tragedy

A devastating shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis yesterday during a morning Back-to-School Mass, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners.  

Archbishop Bernard Hebda
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Archbishop Hebda condemned the attack in a message on the official website of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. He emphasized the importance of prayer and community support in healing and mentioned that prayers from around the country, and a message from Pope Leo XIV had been “a source of hope.”

Pope Leo XIV
Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church

In a telegram to Archbishop Hebda, the pope extended sympathy to “the families now grieving the loss of a child” and those wounded. He added that the Holy Father imparts his apostolic blessing to the school community and the greater Twin Cities area “as a pledge of peace, fortitude, and consolation in the Lord Jesus.”

Greg Laurie
Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship

Greg Laurie wrote on his blog that the attack was “pure evil,” noting hateful messages on the shooter’s gun, including “Where is your God?” He responded, “God is with the suffering,” citing Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” and added, “Even in the darkest hour, God is near to the brokenhearted.”

Franklin Graham 
President of the Samaritans’ Purse and the Billy Graham Association

Join me in praying for the families of the two children who were killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis today, along with the 17 injured. May God wrap His loving arms around the many hurting in this community. https://t.co/y7GuqoM3Hf
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 28, 2025

Samuel Rodriguez 
Pastor of New Season Church and President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference 

We will not bow to fear, nor will we be silenced by critics. In the face of this tragedy in Minnesota, we are doubling down on prayer.

🙏 We will pray more than ever.
🙏 We will anoint more than ever.
🙏 We will declare the blood of Jesus more than ever over our children.

We… pic.twitter.com/vZqE2QLKZz
— Samuel Rodriguez (@nhclc) August 28, 2025