Students gathered Wednesday in the Koch Commons Adoration Chapel to pray for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, as well as anyone affected by the recent upheaval in the church.

A Campus Ministry sign posted outside the Adoration Chapel stated the day of prayer and fasting is meant to bring comfort to all those affected in a time when the archdiocese has been rocked by accusations of sexual misconduct, as well as the resignation of Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn and the Rev. Kevin McDonough from the St. Thomas Board of Trustees.

The sign outside the chapel read, in part, “We pray for all those affected, including the victims, those accused, our leaders, the local Church and all who feel pain and suffering.”

The Rev. Erich Rutten, director of Campus Ministry, said the day of prayer was not directly related to the accusations against the Rev. Michael Keating, who has been accused of sexual misconduct involving an underage girl.

“It’s just everything that’s kind of happening in the archdiocese,” Rutten said. “We really do hope and pray that there is some increased healing and reconciliation here in the archdiocese.”

Rutten said Campus Ministry decided to hold the prayer day after a “listening meeting” in which students expressed a desire to pray.

“We wanted to have it be just really open and flexible so whatever time or way that people would like to participate they can,” Rutten said. “They could pray all day if they want to, or they could pray for one hour; they can do a more severe fast or a more light fast.”

Sophomore Zach Jones said he decided to participate because he had some spare time and wanted to pray for the archdiocese.

“I’d definitely like to see just peace brought to the local church, to the archdiocese here and just healing and reparation,” Jones said. “I’d certainly like to see Father Keating come back.”

Senior Cameron Belden said he is not participating in the day of prayer, but thinks it could help some people heal.

“I think there’s a lot of other students who aren’t really the religious type around here, and they probably won’t participate,” Belden said.

Freshman Lizzy Thibault said she is praying for everyone involved in the controversy.

“I pray that (the prayer) brings comfort to anyone who’s been hurt and that justice will be served, but at the same time, that mercy will be shown in the end,” Thibault said. “I think that whether people, like the priest, are innocent or guilty, they definitely need prayer in either case.”

Grace Pastoor can be reached at past6138@stthomas.edu.