The archbishop of St. Paul and Minnesota is stepping into the emotionally charged and politically sensitive discussion about the efficacy of prayer following tragic mass shootings.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda oversees a diocese that includes Annunciation Church and School, where a shooter targeted a crowd of children at an August 27 back-to-school event. The attack resulted in the deaths of two children, with 18 others, mostly students, injured before the shooter took their own life.

This recent tragedy has reignited the debate over the phrase “thoughts and prayers,” which some critics argue is a tactic used by gun-rights proponents to stall progress on gun regulation. As this phrase was scrutinized last week, Vice President JD Vance and other conservatives defended it, suggesting that the critique was an assault on religious practices. Simultaneously, Pope Leo mentioned the Minneapolis incident, urging for an end to the worldwide problem of arms proliferation.

Joining “Prime” on Sunday, Archbishop Hebda advocated for prayer as a source of community healing, while emphasizing the necessity of pairing it with actionable measures. He suggested that such action involves collaborating with officials and legislators to explore ways to reduce the widespread issue of weaponry.

“What are the solutions that can prevent other families from undergoing the same experiences as those at Annunciation in Minneapolis?” he questioned.

The archbishop did not elaborate.

Minneapolis archbishop on keeping faith after shooting

When asked how he maintains his faith during these times, Hebda shared that he is encouraged by the positive examples of humanity he witnesses. He recounted a recent conversation with a shooting victim about her hospital experience.

“She talked about how she was sharing the ambulance with another student and how they held each other’s hand and how they prayed the ‘Our Father’ as they were taken to the hospital. She spoke about the tenderness of neighbors who were rushing in to help her.

“All of those things tell me that, even in the midst of such darkness, that God is really present and that we have to help each other to see God’s love and to experience God’s love.”