Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino said that parishioners with a "genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions" are exempt from Mass obligations "until such time as this decree is revoked or am.
" Catholic bishops have previously issued exemptions during natural disasters or massive societal events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Diocese of Sen Bernardino includes roughly 1.
6 million Catholics in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in Southern California.
Reverend Alberto Rojas, Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino Ordaining Prelate and Principal Celebrant, leads the Ordination to the Priesthood mass at St.
Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Chino Hills on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Will Lester | Medianews Group | Getty ImagesA Catholic bishop in California has issued a rare decree allowing parishioners to miss Mass due to fears of raids by U. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino wrote that "such fear constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful.
"Catholic bishops have occasionally granted Mass exemptions during natural disasters, war or societal events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
But this appears to be the first time a bishop has invoked such a decree over immigration enforcement.
"All members of the faithful in the Diocese of San Bernardino who, due to genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions, are unable to attend Sunday Mass or Masses on holy days of obligation are dispensed from this obligation, as vided for in Canon 1247, until such time as this decree is revoked or am," Rojas wrote in the decree released Tuesday.
The exemption is a remarkable step for Rojas to take because observant Catholics are required to attend Sunday Mass and certain holy days of obligation, such as All Saints Day on Nov.
1 and Christmas on Dec.
Failure to attend Mass "unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor" is a mortal sin, according to the Roman Catholic Caism.
Apximately 20% of U. Adults, or around 53 million people, identify as Catholic, according to the Pew Re Center.
The Diocese of Sen Bernardino is among the largest in the United States, and serves apximately 1. 6 million Catholics in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in Southern California.
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Rojas encouraged members of the diocese to find alternative ways to "maintain their spiritual communion with Christ," including through virtual Masses when offered.
For decades, American presidents have traditionally limited the authority of federal agencies to conduct civil immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations churches, hospitals and schools.
President Donald Trump revoked these restrictions on his first day in office.
Since then, federal immigration officials have detained people suspected of being undocumented in schools and on church grounds.
Gavin Newsom pointed to the decree to highlight the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, which have included ICE raids at stores and courthouses. "Freedom of religion.
Not in Donald Trump's America," Newsom wrote on X. "People now have to choose between their faith and their freedom.
"The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for on the decree or Newsom's s.