Latest news with #AlbertoRojas
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
One of America's largest Catholic dioceses said parishioners can skip mass over deportation raid fears
Members of the nation's sixth-largest Catholic community are excused from attending mass over 'genuine fear' of immigration enforcement actions that have rocked communities across Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. Church leadership with the Diocese of San Bernardino, which spans San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California with 92 parishes and more than 1.7 million Catholics, issued a rare decree Tuesday following immigration arrests on church properties. San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas issued the decision 'in light of the pastoral needs of our diocese and the concerns expressed by many of our brothers and sisters regarding fears of attending Mass due to potential immigration enforcement actions by civil authorities,' according to his letter. Fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids 'may deter some members of our diocese from fulfilling obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation,' Rojas wrote. Such fear 'constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful,' he added. The decree also encourages pastors and other faith leaders to 'provide compassionate support to those affected by this fear, ensuring they feel welcome and safe in our communities,' and to seek out 'alternative means' for parishioners to receive sacraments, including baptisms and communion. Last month, Rojas chastised Donald Trump's administration after federal agents descended on church property at two parishes within the diocese "It should be no surprise that this is creating a tremendous amount of fear, confusion and anxiety for many,' Rojas wrote in a letter to the community on June 23. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — which guides us in all that we do.' Days earlier, federal agents chased several men into a church parking lot in St. Adelaide Parish in Highland and arrested a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair, according to church leaders. 'Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God,' Rojas wrote at the time. The arrests follow the Trump administration's decision to rescind previous ICE policy that prohibited enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as places of worship as well as schools and hospitals as the White House pursues an aggressive anti-immigration agenda with a goal of making at least 3,000 arrests a day. In February, more than two dozen religious groups representing thousands of congregations sued the Trump administration to restore the policy, fearing a 'chilling' effect that violates their right to freely practice their religion while preventing others from being able to access church services such as food pantries and English-language classes. A federal judge ultimately partially granted a restraining order that blocked ICE from enforcement actions in roughly 1,700 places of worship in 35 states and Washington, D.C. But in April, a Trump-appointed judge sided with the administration in a similar case brought by more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington, D.C., determined that ICE had performed only a handful of enforcement actions on church grounds, stating that 'places of worship are being singled out as special targets." The judge argued that any drops in church attendance could not be definitively linked to ICE actions. 'That evidence suggests that congregants are staying home to avoid encountering ICE in their own neighborhoods, not because churches or synagogues are locations of elevated risk,' Friedrich wrote. The letter from San Bernadino's bishop comes as Catholic leadership across the country — and at the Vatican — grapple with the administration's immigration policy. Pope Leo XIV, who is American born and whose papacy began less than four months into Trump's presidency, had previously criticized the administration's immigration policies and rhetoric. Weeks before his death, Leo's predecessor Pope Francis wrote a letter to Catholic bishops in the United States describing mass deportations as a 'major crisis' that damage 'the dignity of many men and women.' San Diego Bishop Michael Pham, the first U.S. bishop appointed by Leo and first person of Vietnamese descent to be made a diocesan bishop in the country, has attended immigration court hearings in solidarity with immigrants facing removal from the country. Washington, D.C. Cardinal Robert McElroy — a close ally of Leo who was elevated to church leadership by Francis — has also criticized the administration's agenda of 'mass, indiscriminate deportation of men and women and children and families which literally rips families apart and is intended to do so.' In Los Angeles, the largest archdiocese in the country, Archbishop Jose Gomez accused the administration of having 'no immigration policy beyond the stated goal of deporting thousands of people each day.' 'This is not policy, it is punishment, and it can only result in cruel and arbitrary outcomes,' wrote the bishop, who is also a naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico. 'Already we are hearing stories of innocent fathers and mothers being wrongly deported, with no recourse to appeal.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
California bishop excuses weekly mass obligation amid immigration raids
Alberto Rojas, the San Bernardino bishop who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese. The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, such as the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Rojas says it is necessary because of the fear of being apprehended and possibly deported that has gripped communities, including Catholic churches. 'There is a real fear gripping many in our parish communities that if they venture out into any kind of public setting they will be arrested by immigration officers,' said Rojas in a statement on Wednesday. 'Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time.' Save for a serious reason, Catholics are obligated by their faith to attend mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. In May, the diocese of Nashville in Tennessee issued a similar statement following immigration enforcement actions in the area, excusing those who were fearful of attending mass from their holy obligation, though it was not named as a formal dispensation. Rojas is an immigrant himself. He was born and raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He has been consistent in his support of immigrants and said when he assumed this role that it would be one of his top priorities. Last month, as federal agents made arrests and the federal government deployed the national guard to maintain order amid protests in Los Angeles, Rojas issued a statement calling out federal agents entering parish properties and 'seizing several people', creating an environment of fear, confusion and anxiety. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which guides us in all that we do,' he said. 'I ask all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider these tactics immediately in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.' The diocese, which was created in 1978, serves more than 1.5 million Catholics in Riverside county, which is 52.5% Latino and San Bernardino county, which is 56.4% Latino, according to the 2020 US census. Members of local parishes who are in the US without documents have made positive contributions to their communities 'with no other issues than their legal status', the bishop said. 'Most of them are here because they wanted to save their families; they had no other option. I believe that they would love to be legalized, but who can help them?' Rojas said he knows these people would be in church but for the threat to their safety and their family unity. 'With all the worry and anxiety that they are feeling I wanted to take away, for a time, the burden they may be feeling from not being able to fulfill this commitment to which our Catholic faithful are called,' Rojas said. Pastor Omar Coronado with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based non-profit serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, called the bishop's decree 'an extraordinary act of moral courage and pastoral care'. At a time when so many families are living in fear and uncertainty, the Bishop's voice offers not just protection but hope,' he said in a statement. 'We're deeply grateful for his leadership in reminding us that faith is not meant to hide behind walls, but to stand with the vulnerable.' The diocese of San Bernardino is the nation's fifth-largest Catholic diocese and second-largest in California next to the archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest in the country with about 5 million members. Neither the Los Angeles archdiocese nor the neighboring diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.3 million Catholics, has issued similar dispensations. A spokesperson for the diocese of Orange said they have in recent weeks taken steps to support the immigrant community, including asking priests to bring communion and celebrate mass in the homes of those who are fearful of going outside. The diocese has also shared protocols with parishes and Catholic schools to help them prepare and respond properly to the presence of immigration officials on church or school grounds, he said. In addition, the diocese is also coordinating efforts to have priests and deacons accompany and spiritually support people at immigration court hearings. Parishes under the archdiocese of Los Angeles are also continuing to 'provide outreach to families and individuals that have been impacted', a spokesperson for the archdiocese said.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
California bishop excuses weekly mass obligation amid immigration raids
Alberto Rojas, the San Bernardino bishop who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese. The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, such as the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Rojas says it is necessary because of the fear of being apprehended and possibly deported that has gripped communities, including Catholic churches. 'There is a real fear gripping many in our parish communities that if they venture out into any kind of public setting they will be arrested by immigration officers,' said Rojas in a statement on Wednesday. 'Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time.' Save for a serious reason, Catholics are obligated by their faith to attend mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. In May, the diocese of Nashville in Tennessee issued a similar statement following immigration enforcement actions in the area, excusing those who were fearful of attending mass from their holy obligation, though it was not named as a formal dispensation. Rojas is an immigrant himself. He was born and raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He has been consistent in his support of immigrants and said when he assumed this role that it would be one of his top priorities. Last month, as federal agents made arrests and the federal government deployed the national guard to maintain order amid protests in Los Angeles, Rojas issued a statement calling out federal agents entering parish properties and 'seizing several people', creating an environment of fear, confusion and anxiety. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which guides us in all that we do,' he said. 'I ask all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider these tactics immediately in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.' The diocese, which was created in 1978, serves more than 1.5 million Catholics in Riverside county, which is 52.5% Latino and San Bernardino county, which is 56.4% Latino, according to the 2020 US census. Members of local parishes who are in the US without documents have made positive contributions to their communities 'with no other issues than their legal status', the bishop said. 'Most of them are here because they wanted to save their families; they had no other option. I believe that they would love to be legalized, but who can help them?' Rojas said he knows these people would be in church but for the threat to their safety and their family unity. 'With all the worry and anxiety that they are feeling I wanted to take away, for a time, the burden they may be feeling from not being able to fulfill this commitment to which our Catholic faithful are called,' Rojas said. Pastor Omar Coronado with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based non-profit serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, called the bishop's decree 'an extraordinary act of moral courage and pastoral care'. At a time when so many families are living in fear and uncertainty, the Bishop's voice offers not just protection but hope,' he said in a statement. 'We're deeply grateful for his leadership in reminding us that faith is not meant to hide behind walls, but to stand with the vulnerable.' The diocese of San Bernardino is the nation's fifth-largest Catholic diocese and second-largest in California next to the archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest in the country with about 5 million members. Neither the Los Angeles archdiocese nor the neighboring diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.3 million Catholics, has issued similar dispensations. A spokesperson for the diocese of Orange said they have in recent weeks taken steps to support the immigrant community, including asking priests to bring communion and celebrate mass in the homes of those who are fearful of going outside. The diocese has also shared protocols with parishes and Catholic schools to help them prepare and respond properly to the presence of immigration officials on church or school grounds, he said. In addition, the diocese is also coordinating efforts to have priests and deacons accompany and spiritually support people at immigration court hearings. Parishes under the archdiocese of Los Angeles are also continuing to 'provide outreach to families and individuals that have been impacted', a spokesperson for the archdiocese said.
NBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Southern California bishop suspends Mass obligation due to immigration fears
LOS ANGELES — San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in Southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend Mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese. The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, like the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Rojas says it's necessary because the fear of being apprehended and possibly deported has swept communities, including Catholic churches. "There is a real fear gripping many in our parish communities that if they venture out into any kind of public setting they will be arrested by immigration officers," Rojas said in a statement Wednesday. "Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time." Save for a serious reason, Catholics are obligated by their faith to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. In May, the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee issued a similar statement following immigra tion enforcement actions in the area, excusing those fearful of attending Mass from their holy obligation, though it was not named as a formal dispensation. Rojas is an immigrant himself. He was born and raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He has been consistent in his support of immigrants and said when he assumed this role that it would be one of his top priorities. In early June, the Trump administration significantly ramped up immigration arrests and raids in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles, with federal agents conducting sweeps in workplaces and public spaces and apprehending hundreds. Last month, as federal agents made arrests and the federal government deployed the National Guard to maintain order amid protests in Los Angeles, Rojas issued a statement calling out federal agents entering parish properties and "seizing several people," creating an environment of fear and confusion. "It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — which guides us in all that we do," he said. "I ask all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider these tactics immediately in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system." Created in 1978, the diocese serves over 1.5 million Catholics in Riverside County, which is 52.5% Latino, and San Bernardino County, which is 56.4% Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Members of local parishes who are in the U.S. without documents have made positive contributions to their communities "with no other issues than their legal status," the bishop said. "Most of them are here because they wanted to save their families; they had no other option. I believe that they would love to be legalized, but who can help them?" Rojas said he knows these people would be in church but for the threat to their safety and their family unity. "With all the worry and anxiety that they are feeling I wanted to take away, for a time, the burden they may be feeling from not being able to fulfill this commitment to which our Catholic faithful are called," Rojas said. Pastor Omar Coronado with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based nonprofit serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, called the bishop's decree "an extraordinary act of moral courage and pastoral care." At a time when so many families are living in fear and uncertainty, the Bishop's voice offers not just protection but hope," he said in a statement. "We're deeply grateful for his leadership in reminding us that faith is not meant to hide behind walls, but to stand with the vulnerable." The Diocese of San Bernardino is the nation's fifth-largest Catholic diocese and second-largest in California next to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest in the country with about 5 million members. Neither the Los Angeles Archdiocese nor the neighboring Diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.3 million Catholics, has issued similar dispensations. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Orange said they have in recent weeks taken steps to support the immigrant community, including asking priests to bring Communion and celebrate Mass in the homes of those who are fearful of leaving their homes. The diocese has also shared protocols with parishes and Catholic schools to help them prepare and respond properly to the presence of immigration officials on church or school grounds, he said. In addition, the diocese is also coordinating efforts to have priests and deacons accompany and spiritually support people at immigration court hearings. Parishes under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are also continuing to "provide outreach to families and individuals that have been impacted," an archdiocese spokesperson said.
4 days ago
- Politics
California bishop suspends Mass obligation due to immigration fears
San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics in Southern California, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend Mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese. The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, like the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Rojas says it is necessary because of the fear of being apprehended and possibly deported that has gripped communities, including Catholic churches. 'There is a real fear gripping many in our parish communities that if they venture out into any kind of public setting they will be arrested by immigration officers," said Rojas, in a statement Wednesday. 'Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time.' Save for a serious reason, Catholics are obligated by their faith to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. In May, the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee issued a similar statement following immigration enforcement actions in the area, excusing those who were fearful of attending Mass from their holy obligation, though it was not named as a formal dispensation. Rojas is an immigrant himself. He was born and raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He has been consistent in his support of immigrants and said when he assumed this role that it would be one of his top priorities. Last month, as federal agents made arrests and the federal government deployed the National Guard to maintain order amid protests in Los Angeles, Rojas issued a statement calling out federal agents entering parish properties and 'seizing several people," creating an environment of fear, confusion and anxiety. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — which guides us in all that we do,' he said. 'I ask all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider these tactics immediately in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.' The diocese, which was created in 1978, serves over 1.5 million Catholics in Riverside County, which is 52.5% Latino and San Bernardino County, which is 56.4% Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Members of local parishes who are in the U.S. without documents have made positive contributions to their communities 'with no other issues than their legal status,' the bishop said. 'Most of them are here because they wanted to save their families; they had no other option. I believe that they would love to be legalized, but who can help them?' Rojas said he knows these people would be in church but for the threat to their safety and their family unity. 'With all the worry and anxiety that they are feeling I wanted to take away, for a time, the burden they may be feeling from not being able to fulfill this commitment to which our Catholic faithful are called,' Rojas said. Pastor Omar Coronado with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based nonprofit serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, called the bishop's decree 'an extraordinary act of moral courage and pastoral care.' At a time when so many families are living in fear and uncertainty, the Bishop's voice offers not just protection but hope," he said in a statement. "We're deeply grateful for his leadership in reminding us that faith is not meant to hide behind walls, but to stand with the vulnerable.' The Diocese of San Bernardino is the nation's fifth-largest Catholic diocese and second-largest in California next to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest in the country with about 5 million members. Neither the Los Angeles Archdiocese nor the neighboring Diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.3 million Catholics, has issued similar dispensations. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Orange said they have in recent weeks taken steps to support the immigrant community, including asking priests to bring Communion and celebrate Mass in the homes of those who are fearful of leaving their homes. The diocese has also shared protocols with parishes and Catholic schools to help them prepare and respond properly to the presence of immigration officials on church or school grounds, he said. In addition, the diocese is also coordinating efforts to have priests and deacons accompany and spiritually support people at immigration court hearings. Parishes under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are also continuing to 'provide outreach to families and individuals that have been impacted,' a spokesperson for the archdiocese said.
