Dear Parents,
I know many of our hearts are heavy with the news about the terrible events in Minneapolis. Please join me in lifting the families of Annunciation Catholic School up in prayer. Even in our churches, it seems, our children are not completely free from danger. We thank the many first responders, teachers, and members of the community that acted heroically to keep this tragedy from being even worse.
As your Bishop, I want you to know that I take the safety of students and worshippers as my utmost priority. Our parishes and schools have emergency plans in place, and many have representatives from law enforcement present to help ensure safety. Our schools regularly drill for all kinds of emergencies so that children and adults can respond to a crisis in ways that help to minimize risk. Last year, the Office of Catholic Schools initiated on-site safety inspections to make sure that best practices were being followed and those inspections will commence again next week. Later this year, leaders from every school in our Diocese will be trained by the Ohio School Safety Center in preventative measures as well.
Even with all that, we recognize that we must remain vigilant. To that end, I am announcing the creation of a Special Task Force to address safety and security issues at parishes and schools. Deacon Bill Bancroft, the Diocesan Director of Safety Services and a retiree from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, will co-chair this effort with Dr. Steven Jones, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Youngstown. They will work directly with law enforcement and other first responders to make our schools and churches as safe as they can be.
I know these can be unsettling issues to have to confront, but the safety of our students and families demands we do so. Please join me in praying for the work of this Task Force. Together let us pray, “That All May Be One.”
In His service,
Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown
