CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In response to a tragic school mass shooting in Minneapolis last week, where two children died and 21 others were injured, some Catholic churches in Central Illinois are revising their security measures.
St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church in Champaign has decided to secure its doors during weekend mass services, a policy it had already been applying to school masses for several years.
“I said you know what, you don’t know when it’s going to be your turn,” Pastor Father John Zilimu said.
According to Zilimu, shortly after he communicated this decision to his congregation, he received guidance from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. The guidelines included recommendations for church safety, one of which was to lock doors during services.
“I was very happy to see that what I decided to do, the diocese is backing me up, is supporting me,” Zilimu said.
Zilimu said the list doesn’t end at locking doors.
The Minneapolis shooter shot people through the windows and the doors of the church were locked.
The Peoria diocese is now suggesting adding bulletproof film to large doors and windows.
“It’s bulletproof, that way if someone hits it, it won’t harm anyone inside, so I’m looking into that,” Zilimu said.
The addition would be for both the entrance to the parish and the school — the safety of which is priority number one for Zilimu right now.
