From the Dean: Commitment to Welcome and Safety

At Washington National Cathedral, we are committed to being a place of welcome for all who enter. As part of that commitment, the Cathedral will begin requiring all guests to enter through an enhanced security system that will include permanent magnetometers.

This decision comes after careful reflection and research into security best practices. Many of our peer institutions — including many major religious and cultural institutions — rely on magnetometers (often referred to as mags) as part of their safety practices and the reality of our times has led us to conclude that it is important for us to do so as well.

While we recognize that visible security measures in a house of worship may feel unsettling, the safety of our community is essential to creating a true sense of welcome. This step is important to help protect our staff, our volunteers, the Close community, and the thousands of worshippers and visitors who come seeking inspiration and comfort.

The technology that we have secured is state-of-the-art and designed to allow our operations to run as smoothly as possible. It is the same system that is in use by many other large institutions in Washington, D.C.

As we introduce this new system, we will be testing and refining our approach to ensure it is as seamless and welcoming as possible.

Please know that our goal is not to create barriers, but to ensure that every person who walks through our doors can do so with confidence in their safety. As always, we will implement these changes with thoughtfulness and care.

We are grateful for your understanding and partnership as we take this important step forward.