Safe houses of the holy

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This article was published 29/04/2019 (2510 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka that left more than 250 dead, the March stabbing of a priest during mass in Montreal, and the latest deadly anti-Semitic attack at a California synagogue, safety at places of worship is in the spotlight.

“People are trying to be vigilant,” Rev. Richard Arsenault, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg, said prior to Saturday’s fatal shooting at Congregation Chabad in Poway, Calif. “It’s on everybody’s mind.”

On Saturday night, the Jewish Federations of Canada issued a statement saying the “sanctity of the Sabbath services was destroyed when a hateful anti-Semitic murderer killed one worshipper and injured three others.” It’s encouraging people to be vigilant and contact police if they see something suspicious. The centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ community security program team has been in “direct contact with Canadian law enforcement and tracking the situation closely,” it said.

“There’s no threat in Canada, however we are always vigilant,” said Elaine Goldstine, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. Off-duty police officers were at the Holocaust memorial service at Etz Chayim synagogue Sunday morning but that’s nothing new for major events, she said. “It’s something we always do,” said Goldstine.

“Sadly, we’ve been the target of hate crimes before,” Rabbi Kliel Rose said Sunday, referring to Etz Chayim’s Holocaust memorial service and Saturday’s synagogue shooting. “It’s a weight that is hard to carry,” said Rose. “It’s hard to have to constantly be thinking about it and present in the moment of whatever the liturgical situation is. I think, as an institution, we’re doing the best we can but if someone wants to succeed in wreaking havoc, there are ways they can do that.

“It’s a real call for all of us as leaders in the Jewish community to question again are these spaces safe enough, and how do we ensure we’re doing right by our constituents?”

He’s not going to let the shooter in California — or the one at New Zealand mosques or Pittsburgh’s Temple of Life Synagogue — generate more fear that leaves people feeling paralyzed. “That’s not something I can live with and it’s not the message I’m going to offer my congregation,” said Rose.

At Shaarey Zedek, executive director Ian Staniloff said Sunday that they’re trying to stay open and welcoming but safe. Strict gun laws help.

“We’ve been very fortunate that guns are not as prevalent in Canada as they are in the U.S,” Staniloff said.

Remaining open to people while providing security is a balancing act, Rev. Arsenault said, noting each house of worship decides its security needs. “You want to be welcoming and a place where people are safe, and offer sanctuary.”

On Sunday night, the Sri Lankan community organized a multifaith service at the Christ The King Church on St. Mary’s Road to pray for the hundreds hurt and killed in Easter Sunday terror attacks. This week, the Jewish community has organized Holocaust awareness events including Thursday’s Yom Hashoah — Holocaust Memorial Day — inside the protected Manitoba legislature.

At churches throughout Winnipeg, the level of security varies, said leaders willing to talk publicly about such measures.

At St. Mary’s Cathedral downtown, security guards were present at Easter Sunday services, and are there for major holy day masses, said Rev. Geoffrey Angeles.

The Archdiocese of St. Boniface declined to comment on security because it says it doesn’t want to draw unwanted attention.

“In order to avoid attracting undue interest in the accessibility and security at St. Boniface Cathedral and the other Catholic churches and schools under its purview, the Archdiocese of St. Boniface won’t reveal any details regarding its security measures,” communications co-ordinator Daniel Bahuaud said in an email to the Free Press.

Mosques, synagogues and the Asper Jewish Community Campus have already stepped up security measures in response to earlier threats.

Police were present at the Grand Mosque on Waverley Street following the massacre of 50 worshipers at New Zealand mosques last month. Last week, the Asper Jewish Community Campus installed new gates at its entrance, where members have to swipe their cards and guests have to sign in at the security desk.

“This new process will help ensure better security and safety for all visitors to the campus,” said a letter to non-members who visit the campus facilities. Goldstine with the Jewish Federation said security upgrades at the campus have been in the works for the last two years. They weren’t in response to October’s mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were murdered.

“Unfortunately, this seems to be a new reality,” said Christine Baronins, spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Winnipeg. It has no formal security measures in place — for now, she said.

There are alarm systems for when the building is unoccupied, and when people are there, they keep watch for anyone unfamiliar, she said.

“In general, we always keep our eye out for visitors, but this is in an effort to welcome people to the building, not as a precaution,” said Baronins.

“We have occasionally had visitors to our buildings who were disruptive or who tried to be disruptive, but there has not been a situation where there was any danger or physical confrontation.”

One church pastor said they looked to what Jesus would do when coming up with guidelines for handling “disruption.”

“Several years ago, there were some incidents in our area of town with someone deliberately disturbing Christian worship services,” said Mary Anne Isaak, pastor at the Mennonite River East Church.

“To develop a long-term response, we first reviewed New Testament passages on worship disruption and examples of Jesus and worship disruption,” said Isaak, who provided a copy of the guidelines. It says, “The goal of these guidelines is to remind us to follow Jesus’ example of showing compassion to all and ensuring safety of all.”

— with files from John Longhurst

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

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