Bishops, officials call for prayer after conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot and killed September 10, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News President Donald Trump said conservative activist Charlie Kirk died after being shot Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Public officials and other commentators called for prayer after he was shot in the neck, reportedly by a sniper. Kirk was 31 and a married father with two young children.
Armed guards, security drills: Catholic schools enhance security after Minneapolis September 10, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, Schools, World News From armed guards to enhanced drills, Catholic schools throughout the country are bolstering their security measures, following last month’s deadly mass shooting targeting students at a Minneapolis school liturgy.
At funeral for 8-year-old shooting victim, Minneapolis pastor says to ‘cling’ to Jesus September 8, 2025By Josh McGovern The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News The funeral service for Fletcher Merkel, 8, was held Sept. 7 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, just over a mile from Annunciation Catholic Church, where he and another student were shot and killed during an Aug. 27 all-school Mass.
Italian police foil attempted attack on Catholic festival; Turkish suspects arrested September 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, Vatican, World News Italian police and special forces thwarted a possible terrorist attack meant to target a centuries-old Catholic festival that thousands of people, including Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, were expected to attend.
Lawmakers grapple with potential public policy responses after church shooting during school Mass September 4, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, Schools, World News After the deadly Aug. 27 mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during a liturgy marking the start of the school year, lawmakers are weighing what — if any — legislative response may follow.
Vance, second lady lay flowers at memorial commemorating victims of Annunciation school shooting September 3, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, visited Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis Sept. 3 and laid flowers at the temporary memorial where two children were killed and 21 other people were injured in an Aug. 27 shooting.
Bishop blesses hospitalized 12-year-old Annunciation shooting victim still in critical condition September 3, 2025By Joe Ruff OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News Blessing her forehead and both hands with holy water from Lourdes, France, as she lay unconscious in a hospital bed in Minneapolis, Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Izen of St. Paul and Minneapolis prayed for 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, left in critical condition with head injuries when bullets tore through Annunciation’s church in Minneapolis one week before.
Law enforcement officials arrest Alabama man after alleged threats to California church September 2, 2025By OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Law enforcement officials arrested an Alabama man after he allegedly made criminal threats against an Orange County, California, church, and a cache of ammunition and body armor was found in his vehicle, authorities said Sept. 2.
Annunciation pastor calls first parish Mass after church shooting a ‘humble beginning’ September 2, 2025By Joe Ruff OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Recalling the fear and the cries from students, parents and school staff to “get low, stay down, stay down, don’t get up” as bullets tore through Annunciation church at an all-school Mass in Minneapolis, Father Dennis Zehren, the pastor, said it marked a new beginning.
Minneapolis pastor recalls heroism amid tragedy at school Mass shooting September 2, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News For the first time since the Aug. 27 attack by a shooter who killed two children and wounded at least 21 more victims at an all-school Mass where he was presiding at Annunciation Catholic Church, Father Dennis Zehren publicly described his attempt to save the children.
Pope prays for Minneapolis victims, denounces ‘pandemic’ of gun violence September 2, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV, praying publicly for the victims of the school shooting in Minneapolis, also prayed for an end to the “pandemic” of gun violence.
Fletcher loved his family, Harper was a ‘joyful’ big sister: Annunciation shooting victims mourned August 29, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News The parents of both children confirmed as victims of the Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church issued their first statements in the aftermath, mourning the loss of their children.
