After a gunman killed two people on October 24 at a magnet high school in St. Louis, the local bishop and several adjacent parishes have called for prayers for the victims and an end to gun violence in the region.
A 19-year-old former student of Central Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) High School reportedly entered the school on Monday morning with an AR-15-style weapon and more than 600 rounds of ammunition, killing a 15-year-old student and a 61-year-old instructor and wounded at least seven others. Ultimately, the guy was murdered in a gunfight with police.
The Archbishop of St. Louis, Mitchell Rozanski, sought prayers for the victims and a stop to gun violence in the city.
“Once again, residents of our community have endured the tragedy and trauma of a school shooting. I am praying for our Central Visual & Performing Arts High School neighborhood neighbors,” he wrote.
“I urge all persons of good will to unite in prayer for everyone touched by today’s shooting and for divine guidance as we continue to seek solutions to the dual problems of mental health and violence as a community.”
Also requesting prayers was Bishop Shawn McKnight of the nearby Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri.
McKnight posted on social media, “Please join me in prayer for all those touched by the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis.” As we attempt to comprehend this tragedy, we seek God’s direction and comfort.
St. Margaret of Scotland parish, located approximately two miles from CVPA school, has arranged a youth-only vigil for October 25 to pray for the shooting victims and an end to gun violence in the neighborhood. The parish stated that all seventh through twelfth graders were encouraged to “meet with one another, grieve, and process”
St. Ambrose parish, which is located close, made a Facebook message requesting prayers for the victims. “Let us pray for peace in the globe and in our own communities. “I have said these things to you so that you may find peace in me.” In this world, you will face adversity. But have courage; I have conquered the universe. John 16:33,” stated the church.
The nearby Magdelen Church also called for prayer.
The St. Louis shooting occurred just one day before the planned beginning of the Vigil to Save Children’s Lives and Interfaith Gun Safety Initiative, an initiative to promote gun safety endorsed by numerous area churches, including the Archdiocese of St. Louis Peace and Justice Commission.