In brief
The Sacred Heart Church, a refuge for immigrant worshippers in Washington, D.C., is facing a crisis as federal immigration enforcement targets its congregation of primarily Latino immigrants. Since August, more than 40 parishioners have been detained or deported, instilling fear in the community. Attendance at Mass has dropped dramatically as families grieve for lost loved ones. Church leaders are responding by offering legal support, food deliveries, and fostering a sense of hope amidst adversity.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Shrine of the Sacred Heart, a prominent Catholic church near the White House, has become a source of fear rather than sanctuary for its mostly immigrant congregation. Since federal immigration enforcement significantly increased in August, more than 40 members have faced detention or deportation. Many parishioners are frightened to leave their homes, avoiding attending Mass, shopping for groceries, or seeking medical care due to the ongoing immigration crackdown targeting their community. Cardinal Robert McElroy criticized the government's approach, saying it instills terror in immigrants, stripping them of real peace and security.Although the recent surge of federal law enforcement technically ended on Sept. 10, the presence of immigration authorities continues near Sacred Heart, which is situated in a vibrant Latino community. Established over a century ago, the church has historically served Irish, Italian, and German immigrants, but today, its 5,600 members mainly hail from El Salvador, Haiti, Brazil, and Vietnam.As the immigration raids disrupt lives and diminish church attendance, families mourn for missing loved ones. The church’s pastor, Rev. Emilio Biosca, noted that attendance has plummeted, leaving many pews empty under the colorful mosaics of their domed church. The community collaborates to combat the challenges brought on by these raids, attending immigration court hearings, covering legal expenses, and delivering food to fearful congregants.In a defining moment of solidarity, parishioners recently dedicated a rosary for those detained, with many participating in Zoom prayer sessions due to fear of going outside. Among the affected is a woman whose husband was detained while they worked at a fruit stand, their primary source of income. Her past activities at Sacred Heart, where they volunteered together, contrast sharply with her current reality of packing to leave their home.Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar, who crossed into the U.S. illegally in 1990, emphasized the church's commitment to supporting immigrants, lamenting that those now facing deportation could easily have been himself. The perseverance and resilience of the Sacred Heart community shine through its active role in standing by its members, conducting advocacy, and fostering hope in a climate of fear, while grappling with the wider implications of the immigration policies in the U.S.
