Yesterday was an eventful day in Toledo, OH. In the wee hours of Monday morning an arsonist attempted to set the west-end portals of Rosary Cathedral on fire as well as graffitied the front of the church. Toledo police got a lead on a suspect and late last evening approached his home. Reports state that he was on his porch, brandished a weapon and then retreated inside. Apparently a negotiator tried to speak with him but was rebuffed and eventually he came out wielding two firearms after he was forced out by tear gas. In the melée that followed a young 24 y.o. officer was killed, and apparently the suspect was killed as well. I offered my morning mass for both of them and I hope that others here will pray for them both too. Our Lord can redeem all things; let us pray He will take mercy upon both of their souls. I also pray that the officer will be given a large funeral at the Cathedral. Thanks be to God the Cathedral didn't burn... it's truly one of the gems of the USA and is often overlooked. It is the cathedral of my youth and I grew up serving four different bishops there for holy/feast days.

https://www.13abc.com/2021/01/18/standoff-underway-in-old-west-end/
https://www.13abc.com/2021/01/18/officials-investigating-arson-case-at-rosary-cathedral/