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IN PHOTO: Prosecutor William McCauley holds up a gun previously entered as evidence in the murder trial of former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts April 1, 2015. A former friend of Hernandez testified on Wednesday that he saw the ex-New England Patriots player handle a gun similar to the one prosecutors contend he used to murder an acquaintance, and that Hernandez had a distrustful nature. Alexander Bradley, who had been friends with the former tight end, was permitted to tell jurors that Hernandez had access to the type of pistol he is accused of using to murder semipro football player Odin Lloyd, but not about a separate 2013 incident in which Bradley contends Hernandez shot him in the face. Hernandez, 25, is charged with killing Lloyd, who was dating his fiancee’s sister. Lloyd was found shot dead in June 2013 in an industrial park near Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. REUTERS/Brian Snyder REUTERS/Brian Snyder

A Catholic priest in Michigan has no less encouraged his community members that it’s ok to carry a concealed gun and to actually use it for purposes of self-defence. Reverend Edward Fride even said that the Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor will host classes for parishioners interested in obtaining one. The parish priest made the announcement on Palm Sunday.

Fride, in his letter sent to Christ the King parishioners, said the spike of recent crimes in the Ann Arbor area was enough reason to get a concealed pistol license. "It is very common for Christians to simply assume that they live in Mayberry, trusting that because they know the Lord Jesus, everything will always be fine and nothing bad can happen to them and their families," Fride wrote. His message seemed to imply that prayers and faith are good, but it’s also good to load up, and when needed, fire.

Fried noted he has observed “a significant reduction in the availability of an armed police response" in the area that’s why crime is going up. Budget cuts have affected the peace and order, not to mention harmony, in Ann Arbor.

Fride’s letter was titled “Yes, it appears that ‘We’re Not in Mayberry Anymore, Toto!'” He said he fears for the safety of children in Ann Arbor. He also mentioned how criminals could launch horrible attacks against unarmed female parishioners.

It seemed he was able to influence his parishioners because the Christ the King Catholic Church indeed was able to hold a class and instruction for concealed pistol licenses. But it was just that – only one class. Fride’s superior, Bishop Earl Boyea, immediately called off the special classes.

In a statement, Boyea said apart from never giving permission for anyone to carry a concealed weapon in a church or school of the Diocese of Lansing, holding classes tackling Concealed Pistol License are “inappropriate activities to be held on Church property.”

Boyea added the ban on weapons is extended to “open carry" in the churches and schools, thus making them gun-free zones. “As always we rely on the public or professional security forces to provide for public safety on Church property."

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