‘Guardians’ Protect Fort Worth Churches in Crisis Situations

Crux ^ | 1/28/22 | John Lavenburg

[marshmallow]

NEW YORK – About two weeks ago, when a gunman took four people hostage at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, a handful of volunteers at nearby Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church fostered an organized, orderly, and safe environment for the hostage families, religious leaders, media, and others inside of the parish.

These unsung heroes of the day, known as “guardians,” were more than just volunteers. They were lay parishioners trained in handling emergency situations at the church, part of a unique diocesan wide “Guardian Ministry” program in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

The program recruits, trains and screens parishioners from the diocese’s 91 parishes across 28 counties to respond to various situations. An active shooter is one, but also more common situations like disruptive people, and medical events.

“This is very much like the safe environment classes and training that we ask our lay ministers, our clergy, our religious to go through so that there’s a shared awareness of danger so that there can be good prevention and we can have a safe place especially for the most vulnerable,” Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth told Crux.

“Secondly, it gives an ordered response to this because it necessarily involves working with law enforcement and civil authorities for the common good of society,” he continued.

There are about 300-400 guardians in the diocese in roles that include greeters, ushers, medical and armed guardians. The armed guardians’ role is predominantly held by off duty police officers, though non-law enforcement volunteers can also have the role after a screening process.

[Wpin]

God bless these good and able men! Viva Christo Rey!

[livius]

Very good idea!

[piasa]

We have this at our LCMS church too... With our concealed-carry parishioners, and others.