Minneapolis archbishop calls for prayers that lead to action

(NewsNation) — The archbishop of St. Paul and Minnesota is wading into the emotional and politically charged discussion about the power of prayer after deadly mass shootings.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s diocese includes Annunciation Church and School, where a shooter fired into an audience of children attending an Aug. 27 back-to-school service. Two children were killed, and 18 others, mostly students, were injured before the shooter died by suicide.

The latest tragedy spurred another debate about the phrase “thoughts and prayers,” which critics say is a smokescreen used by gun-rights advocates to delay potential movement on gun control. When its usage came under fire last week, Vice President JD Vance and other conservatives pushed back, suggesting it was an attack on religion. Meanwhile