In brief
Amid escalating fears of immigration raids in Southern California, San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas has granted parishioners the option to forego attending Mass. This unusual measure reflects growing concern for the safety of worshippers amidst recent federal enforcement activities in the region.
The Diocese of San Bernardino, which serves approximately 1.6 million Catholics, has issued an official announcement permitting individuals who are genuinely fearful of experiencing immigration enforcement actions while attending Mass on Sundays or holidays to be excused from this obligation. Bishop Rojas articulated these sentiments in an open letter, emphasizing that this choice is a response to the heightened tension surrounding immigration policies.This action is not isolated; it follows a similar decision made by the Nashville diocese in May, where the safety of congregants was prioritized over the traditional obligation of Mass attendance amidst heightened ICE operations. Since the intensification of immigration enforcement under the current administration, there have been reports of ICE agents detaining immigrants at public venues, creating an atmosphere of fear for many within the community. Bishop Rojas described the lifting of the obligation as an exceptional response to concerning circumstances, similarly to provisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the challenging environment in which parishioners now find themselves.
