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In a recently unearthed letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, officials from the Minnesota Catholic Conference drew attention to the urgent security needs of Catholic and nonpublic schools. They expressed their concern by stating that these institutions were in “urgent and critical need” of enhanced safety measures, emphasizing that “our schools are under attack.”
Unfortunately, their warnings went largely unaddressed. Two years later, these fears tragically materialized when a gunman opened fire on students at a Minneapolis Catholic school during Mass, resulting in two fatalities and 17 injuries.
This letter was first highlighted by a news outlet and was authored by Jason Adkins, Executive Director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, and Tim Benz, president of the private school advocacy group MINNDEPENDENT. The correspondence, dated April 14, 2023, is publicly available through the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s official channels.
The leaders implored the governor by stating, “We are writing on behalf of our respective organizations regarding the urgent and critical need in Minnesota to ensure that our schools are secure and safe, considering the most recent and ongoing attacks on educational institutions both nationally and locally.”
They cited the mass shooting a week prior at Covenant Christian School in Nashville as a prime example of the mounting threats to school safety, remarking that this devastating event confirmed their fears: “The latest school shooting at a nonpublic Christian school in Tennessee sadly substantiates what we already know — our schools are under attack.”
Tragedy Strikes Minneapolis Catholic School
In a related incident, the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting left two children dead and 17 others injured. Reports indicate that a 23-year-old assailant, who had changed his name to Robin Westman, unleashed violence during a Mass attended by students.
The letter further expressed deep concerns regarding the safety of the 72,000 students enrolled in independent, Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim schools throughout Minnesota. The leaders lamented the exclusion of nonpublic schools from the $50 million Building and Cyber Security Grant Program, as well as the state’s Safe Schools Program, which provides essential support services, including emergency response training and security enhancements.
They added, “We need to ensure all schools have the resources necessary to respond to and prevent such attacks,” emphasizing the importance of comprehensive safety measures across various types of educational institutions.
The letter concluded with a strong appeal for action: “An attack on any school, whether public, nonpublic, charter, or otherwise, cannot be tolerated in Minnesota. We urge you to allocate $50 million in the final Education Finance bill to support nonpublic schools in their quest for security enhancements.”
Previous Appeals Ignored
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Catholic Conference confirmed the letter’s legitimacy to news sources but declined to comment further, noting that the requests laid out in the correspondence were never addressed. Additionally, the spokesperson pointed to earlier entreaties made in 2022, when Catholic leaders sought Governor Walz’s assistance in integrating nonpublic schools into state safety initiatives.
St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda also called for legislative action in a video message, urging Walz to convene a special session for a bill that would provide ongoing funding streams to all schools for safety improvements and mental health programs. This appeal resonated with many who believe that safety measures are crucial for all educational institutions.
Despite these calls for help, a recent policy document from the Minnesota Department of Education explicitly states that the Building and Cyber Security Grant Program is only accessible to cooperative units, school districts, and charter schools. Accordingly, nonpublic schools remain ineligible for the financial assistance necessary to augment their security.
Conversely, Governor Walz’s office maintains that private schools receive state funding and can access relevant resources, which include training geared toward enhancing school safety. According to a spokesperson, the governor is deeply invested in the welfare of students and has authorized millions for school safety initiatives. They emphasized that meetings with the Catholic Conference occur regularly, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration on issues related to gun violence and student security.
Investigation into the Attack
The violent incident at the Minneapolis Catholic church drew national attention. As law enforcement investigates, FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the tragedy a “barbaric” act, suggesting the attack may have been driven by domestic terrorism with anti-religious motivations. Reports indicate that the shooter left distressing anti-Catholic remarks in a manifesto and inscribed messages onto his firearms, further calling into question the cultural climate around school safety.”
Patel stated that evidence collected during the ongoing investigation provides support for the belief that the shooting emerged from deeply ingrained hatred toward various groups, including expressions of animosity toward Jewish individuals, such as statements implying favor for the destruction of Israel. This troubling context adds urgency to calls for enhanced safety measures across all types of schools.
Future Implications for School Safety Legislation
As this sensitive issue continues to unfold, the question of how Minnesota will enhance school security remains paramount for families and communities alike. With the tragic events in Minneapolis prompting renewed conversations on school safety, advocates urge lawmakers to reconsider inclusion for all schools in safety funding initiatives.
