Minneapolis: In the week following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has observed a remarkable outpouring of faith, compassion, and solidarity among Catholics and the wider Twin Cities community. Speaking on EWTN News Nightly on September 2, the archbishop described the signs of hope and divine love emerging in the aftermath of the devastating attack that claimed the lives of eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, while leaving around twenty others injured.
“I get the idea that people are very much turning to the Lord at this time, and there’s just been a real outpouring of love,” Archbishop Hebda said, noting the abundance of volunteers and counselors stepping forward to support families, students, and parishioners. He emphasized how the local church community is demonstrating resilience and compassion in the face of profound grief.
Hebda expressed deep gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s personal prayers for the victims, describing them as especially poignant given the Pope’s Midwestern roots. “It was huge, especially to hear those words in English and in a Midwestern accent,” the archbishop said, highlighting the personal connection to the region. The Pope’s attention to the tragedy, particularly his call to end the “pandemic of arms”, has provided spiritual encouragement to both clergy and laity.
The archbishop also shared details about the recovery of the victims, many of whom were taken to Minneapolis hospitals, including one near the site where Pope Leo XIV had conducted his clinical pastoral education as a seminarian. “So I know he knows the spot, he knows Minneapolis, and we're really counting on him continuing those prayers,” Hebda added.
Looking ahead, Annunciation Church will need to be reconsecrated, a symbolic act Hebda described as “reclaiming that territory for the Lord.” While acknowledging that returning to the church will be emotionally challenging for many parishioners, he expressed hope that with time, prayer, and community support, the church will once again serve as a vibrant hub of spiritual life.
In addressing the broader debate over the role of prayer in times of tragedy, Archbishop Hebda shared poignant examples from Annunciation Catholic School. Students have turned to prayer for comfort and healing one young girl held the hand of a classmate in the ambulance while fervently reciting the Our Father, and an injured young man requested that his doctor pray with him before surgery. “At a time when prayer is being debated, that’s what seems to be appreciated the most,” the archbishop reflected.
As the community continues to mourn and heal, Archbishop Hebda emphasized that the collective faith, care, and dedication of volunteers, clergy, and the faithful provide a profound testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring power of turning to God in moments of tragedy.