Does your parish have security guards? If not, should it? (revised)

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phil19034

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I was listening to The Patrick Madrid Show (recorded on Nov 7, 2017 - hour 1) and he was discussing the shooting at the Texas Church.

He then started talking a little about security in parishes, and he mentioned that his Catholic Parish has security guards. So it made me start thinking if we should start considering security to protect our parishes, which Patrick Madrid agrees with.

If we do, it would not be the first time, because one of the jobs of the porter (the minor order the parish usher developed from) was to protect the parish from non-Catholics & those who would do harm to the people inside the Church.

Do you think it’s time for security guards? Please select one answer from “PART 1” & one from “PART 2”
  • PART 1 - No, my parish does not have security guards
  • PART 1 - My parish only has security guards for special events (Christmas, shows, etc).
  • PART 1 - My parish has paid security guards
  • PART 1 - My parish has volunteer security guards (police, firemen, etc who are parishioners)
  • PART 1 - The ushers at my parish also act as security (police, firemen, etc who are parishioners)
  • PART 2 - I think my parish should have armed security guards (paid or volunteer).
  • PART 2 - I think my parish should have armed security guards (but only via hiring an outside security company).
  • PART 2 - I think my parish should have ONLY UNARMED security guards (paid or volunteer).
  • PART 2 - I think my parish should NOT have any security guards at all.
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Well, it’s not a bad idea, I suppose. But I don’t think they’re very common. There is a security guard at the Cathedral in Denver. I think it’s just a prudential judgement. I would recommend it for a large parish. Exactly how large, I’m not sure. But I think this sort of thing is already being handled. It’s possible I’m wrong. People that go to big city suburban Churches would have to weigh in on this. 🤔

I do think it’s a good idea to have a designated person at each mass that carries and is proficient with a side-arm for large parishes. Sort of the same idea as an air marshall. It’s unobtrusive and prudent.
 
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I never knew this was a thing. It makes sense, but I wouldn’t want it - I see no need. Church shootings aren’t as prevalent here as in the states, unfortunate as it is. However, if a parish allows guns on their property, there’d really be no need as a parishioner could successfully stop an armed intruder.
 
Hey, you got more voters than comments.

The chances of a problem do not yet warrant it in my opinion. I’d rather the money be used on other upgrades, or help people in need.

Blessings,
Stephie
 
I think the option of having volunteer armed security guards is a non-starter. No parish would (or should) do that. It would be a liability nightmare! If you are going to do it at all, it would need to be through a security company.

I don’t think we are at that point. We have had two (relatively) recent mass shootings at churches. One was racially motivated. The other was born from a domestic dispute. There is no reason to think that our parishes are suddenly dangerous places to be. I’m more likely to be killed or injured on the way to Church than I am when I get there.
 
Mine doesnt but parishes should. Ewtn’ Mass has security that should tell us something.
 
Our Archbishop has ordered that only sworn law enforcement are allowed to carry in our archdiocese. As a result our parish has a few off duty officers who come to Mass who carry concealed that the Pastor is aware of and has encouraged but that is all. Sometimes at parish events they may have ask one of them to come in uniform but that’s about it.
 
I fail to see how my questions are loaded? Obviously local laws must be adhearded to.

But it’s not just the US. After all, it was in rural France where a priest was stabbed to death during Mass.

Armed security can be hired, and not parishioner based. I thought I wrote them so they were generic enough.

And it could also be informal using off duty police who are members of the police (in places where police are allowed to or even required to conceal carry)
 
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I don’t disagree about the volunteer team, I only included it because I’ve heard of protestant groups who have that. I’ve also heard the idea of having the ushers return to being porters.

However, I do think if a parish has a number of police officers attending Mass, perhaps an organized group for police officers in the Parish might not be a bad idea, esp if they are required to carry when off duty.
 
Around here, the off-duty policemen will often take “security” jobs. I think it’d be reasonable to hire two for our particular parish. One could station in the north parking lot, and one could station in the south. All three doors would be covered at minimal cost.
 
If my parish has guards, the are plain clothes and very low key. Our state has license to carry, either concealed or open but the Archbishop has announced that the only people who can carry on church property are licensed police/peace officers who must carry off duty.

Personally, I think the Archbishop has painted a target on Catholic property and the people who are present there. “For the peace of mind of our church family, we want to inform you that individuals may not enter church property with a firearm. If you do so, you will be in violation of the law and everyone who isn’t will but an unarmed target. Thank you”
 
I wouldn’t have a clue if any of our parishioners act as security guards …armed or unarmed…personally I think it shows just what a sick society we have that we have to have armed guards whether at church…school…the movie theater…or anywhere else…I’m not questioning if it’s “prudent” or not…I’m saying that it’s sick that we even have to make a “prudent” judgement at all…
 
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