Southern California Bishop Excuses Immigrants From Mass Amid ICE Raids

Several Catholic dioceses in the United States, including San Bernardino, Nashville, and Sacramento, have granted dispensations allowing immigrants to skip Sunday Mass due to fears of immigration enforcement raids by ICE. Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino issued a decree acknowledging that fear of immigration enforcement constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful, encouraging alternative spiritual practices such as prayer and scripture reading. This unprecedented move reflects the impact of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration sweeps in Southern California, where thousands have been detained, causing many to avoid public gatherings including church services. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have publicly condemned the immigration raids, framing them as threats to religious freedom and community safety. The Catholic Church is adapting to the reality of immigrant parishioners living in fear by promoting spiritual support and inclusion even for those unable to attend Mass in person. The dioceses emphasize that these dispensations, typically reserved for extreme circumstances like illness or natural disasters, reflect the seriousness of the current immigration enforcement climate.