Friday, September 17, 1999
Killings put local churches on alert
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Preachers who once concerned themselves only with lost souls outside the church now have to worry about lost lives inside the church.
In the wake of Wednesday's shooting spree that left eight dead inside a Fort Worth, Texas, church, Tristate religious leaders are wondering how to balance their concern for strangers with the safety of their congregations.
“I've been going to the Baptist Church for 50 years, and never before have we had to worry about security,” said the Rev. Bill Crosby, pastor of Erlanger Baptist Church in Kentucky.
“Now, we have a security committee,” he said.
Investigators are still trying to determine what prompted Larry Gene Ashbrook, 47, to walk into the Wedgwood Baptist Church, shoot seven people to death and then kill himself.
“I'm thinking about having our ushers look a little more closely at unfamiliar faces,” said the Rev. William Neuroth, pastor of St. John's Anglican Catho lic Church in Dayton, Ky. “The church is there for peace. ... But on the flip side, there is always the possibility of violence and guns and bizarre behavior.
The Rev. Mr. Crosby prefers not to discuss gun control and stranger-danger in relation to the church, but he doesn't see any way around it.
“It's sad,” he said. “Because there is a lack of trust of each other, we've become more suspicious of people who look different from us.
“I hate it. The church, of all places, should be welcoming and open.”
Latest news on Texas church shooting From Associated Press
Hurricane-weary residents feel tired, lucky
Floodwaters create drama on roadways
HMOs to raise fees for seniors
Police supervisor accused in shootings
Schools to wait for fix-up
Proposal to fix crumbling schools
Tutu praises path to equality at UK
Broadway development not a priority with officials
Father takes disabled son in murder-suicide
N. Ky. pupils among best-scoring
New test results compare to previous years'
Killings put local churches on alert
Mobile news museum goes on display
OSU first in America to do remote-controlled bypass
The pinnacle of polkas
'The Tempest' gets bizarre reading
Theatre Classics in financial trouble
Celtic fest will attract clans, fans of music, dance
GET TO IT
Lonestar serves up pop-tinged country
WorldJam bets diversity will lure music fans
3 endorsed for school board by new group
Alternative school wins award
'Beautiful Valley' shows off beautiful homes
Chiefs urge new site for memorial
Colerain man faces rape, molesting charges
Delhi police taking aim at national accreditation
Energy secretary apologizes to Paducah workers
Foes: Vote hurts Lucas in 2000
Legion to honor service to public
Mall project collects for refugees of Yugoslavia
Miniature golf course teaches thinking
Monument recalls Wartime America
Political signs could have limits
Students' lawsuit over pregnancies due in court
Teen-ager faces murder charge in failed holdup
Trade Town to teach kids supply, demand
TRISTATE DIGEST
U.S. deal would aid workers at only 1 uranium processing plant
Woodlawn signs off on deal for new pool
