Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, has taken the unusual step of excusing parishioners from attending Mass due to fears of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This rare dispensation recognises the serious spiritual and emotional distress caused by immigration enforcement actions.
Normally, Catholics are required to attend Sunday Mass and certain holy days, with missing Mass without a valid reason considered a mortal sin. However, Bishop Rojas invoked Canon 1247 to release the faithful from this obligation.
“All members of the faithful in the Diocese of San Bernardino who, due to genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions, are unable to attend Sunday Mass or Masses on holy days of obligation are dispensed from this obligation… until such time as this decree is revoked or amended,” Rojas stated.
The Diocese of San Bernardino serves around 1.6 million Catholics, many of whom live with the constant threat of ICE raids, which have increased since federal policies changed under the Trump administration. Bishop Rojas described this fear as a “grave inconvenience” that affects the spiritual wellbeing of his community.
He encouraged parishioners to maintain their spiritual connection through prayer, Scripture, and virtual Masses where possible. Historically, immigration enforcement agencies avoided operations in sensitive places like churches, but these protections were removed by President Trump, leading to increased ICE activity on church grounds.
“Freedom of religion? Not in Donald Trump’s America. People now have to choose between their faith and their freedom,” California Governor Gavin Newsom stated.
Across the country, religious leaders have increasingly voiced concerns regarding the impact of immigration policies on their congregations. Some churches have declared themselves sanctuaries to protect undocumented immigrants, while others have pursued legal measures to challenge enforcement actions in sensitive locations.