A “shelter in place” was issued at The Catholic University of America Thursday morning as authorities conducted a “systematic search” for a reported threat.
According to DC News Now, the order was issued after police received calls about a threat.
The university announced the “SHELTER IN PLACE” was lifted roughly 30 minutes after it was first issued.
A Catholic priest on Twitter who goes by The Frank Friar tweeted updates from the university.
“Shelter in place issue on campus right now on cua campus. Prayers appreciated,” he tweeted.
“’Update 1: Officers are searching for a threat after receiving calls. Remain sheltered. More to come,'” he continued. “’Update 3 – Police Officers are continuing with their search. At this time, No threat has been confirmed. Please continue to shelter in place. More to follow.’”
“’The University’s Department of Public Safety is working with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to conduct a systematic sweep of locations on campus. Please continue to shelter in place until further notice,’” The Frank Friar added.
The Catholic University threat comes after new internal documents released by the House Judiciary Committee revealed that the FBI worked to develop sources within Christian churches and Catholic dioceses as part of a broader effort to fight “domestic terrorism.”
Obtained in February by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La), the documents showed the bureau sought to use churches as “new avenues for tripwire and source development.”
“Mainline Catholic parishes” would be specifically targeted, the documents said.
“Based on the limited information produced by the FBI to the Committee, we now know that the FBI relied on at least one undercover agent to produce its analysis, and that the FBI proposed that its agents engage in outreach to Catholic parishes to develop sources among the clergy and church leadership to inform on Americans practicing their faith,” Jordan wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, according to Fox News.
“This information is outrageous and only reinforces the Committee’s need for all FBI material responsive to our request,” Jordan continued. “The documents produced to date show how the FBI sought to enlist Catholic houses of worship as potential sources to monitor and report on their parishioners.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
