WI Bishops: Please, no guns in church

Beginning tomorrow, residents of Wisconsin will be able to apply for a permit allowing them to carry concealed weapons, but the state's Catholic bishops are urging residents to leave their guns at home while attending Mass. The Associated Press reports:

Wisconsin's bishops are urging parishioners to keep their concealed weapons out of church.

The state's five bishops issued a statement Monday saying they won't mandate churches prohibit concealed weapons but want parishioners not to carry them into churches as a sign of reverence.

They want local pastors to consider that Catholic teachings stress non-violent conflict resolution and Catholic churches have a long tradition of serving as sanctuaries for people fleeing violence as they decide whether to allow concealed weapons or ban them.

The full statement can be read here, and a statement released last May opposing the law can be read here.

Comments

Why am I confident the Bishop's would like us to check our 1st Amendment rights at the door also?

Oh for corn's sake, Wisconsans! I love this country and the Bill of Rights too...but we can all get together on the "no fireams during Mass" thing, can't we????

For neither the first nor the last time, the Second Amendment trumps the First Commandment in the good, old US of A. In Smith & Wesson we really trust. Amen

Salutary action by the bishops. This is when they are at their best. The Church of Christ should send the message against violence.

What the good citizens of my home state need to remember is this:

Only little boys need big toys!