California Bishop allows those in fear of immigration raids to avoid Mass

[rangerrebew]

California Bishop allows those in fear of immigration raids to avoid Mass

Amid ‘fears of attending Mass due to potential immigration enforcement actions,’ the Bishop of San Bernardino allowed people to be ‘dispensed from this obligation’
Published: July 9, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MDT
 
By Mariya Manzhos
 
A Bishop in Southern California allowed those who are afraid of “immigration enforcement actions” to be “dispensed” from the obligation of attending Mass, according to a decree issued by Alberto Rojas in California, the Bishop of San Bernardino.

“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 provided for in Canon 1247, until such time as this decree is revoked or amended,” the announcement, dated July 8, read. In the Catholic Church, attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation — or specific feast days — is normally considered a serious obligation for all practicing Catholics.

Rojas issued the decision “in light of the pastoral needs of our diocese and the concerns expressed by many of our brothers and sisters regarding fears of attending Mass due to potential immigration enforcement actions by civil authorities,” he wrote.

https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/07/09/catholic-mass-in-california-ice-immigration/

[rangerrebew]

I'll bet plenty of Americans, too, will be "shaking" in fear this Sunday while sleeping in.  I'm also not sure I've ever seen anything that gives Bishops the authority to call off mass and to ignore the teachings of Jesus.  In fact, it seems going to church would be a good way of showing trust in God.

[GtHawk]

So the Bishop excused them from mass…….. bet they aren’t excused from making offerings though