Trump ice raids pushed the Catholic bishop to exempt worshipers from the mass

Catholic bishop in California I issued a rare decree Allowing the parish people to miss the mass due to fears of the raids by us Migration Customs enforcement.

Bishop Alberto Rojas “Such fear is a dangerous inconvenience that may hinder the spiritual good of believers,” said St. Bernardino’s diocese.

Catholic bishops sometimes gave mass exemptions during natural disasters, war or social events such as Covid-19 PandeMic. But it seems that this is The first time bishop Such a decree on immigration application is called.

“All members of the believers in the diocese of San Bernardino, who, due to the real fear of immigration enforcement procedures, are unable to attend Sunday or masses in the holy days of commitment from this commitment, as stipulated in Canon 1247, until this marina is canceled or modified,“ Rojas’s books in the decision issued on Tuesday.

The exemption is a great step for the Rajas because the observed Catholics are required to attend the Sunday Mass and some holy days of commitment, such as all day of the saints on November 1 and Christmas on December 25.

Failure to attend the Mass “unless it is excused for a serious reason (for example, disease, childcare) or dispensing their priest” is a deadly sin, according to what he said The Roman Catholic Catholic Education.

Nearly 20 % of the United States, or about 53 million people, are Catholics, according to the Pew Research Center.

The diocese of Sen Bernardino is among the largest in the United States, and serves almost 1.6 million Catholics in San Bernardino and Rivside provinces in southern California.

“In the issuance of this decree, I am guided by the church’s mission to care for the spiritual luxury for all who entrusted it to my mind, especially those who face fear or difficulties.”

Rojas encouraged the diocese members to find alternative ways to “preserve their spiritual company with Christ”, including through virtual masses when presented.

For decades, US presidents traditionally confined the authority of federal agencies to a civil procedure Migration Procedures in sensitive sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.

president Donald Trump These restrictions were canceled on The first day in the office. Since then, federal immigration officials have detained people suspected of not documented in schools and on Church lands.

California ruler Gavin New No. He referred to the decree by highlighting the procedures for enforcing aggressive immigration of the Trump administration Ice raids included In stores and courts.

“Freedom of Religion? Not in America Donald Trump,” Newsom Books on X. “People now have to choose between their faith and their freedom.”

The White House did not immediately respond to the CNBC request to comment on the newsom decree or comments.