2 Catholic dioceses say immigrants can skip Mass over ICE raid fears

Axios

09-07-2025

At least two Catholic dioceses in the U.S. say immigrants fearful of detentions from ongoing immigration raids are not required to attend Sunday Mass.
Why it matters: The rare dispensations from the dioceses of Nashville and San Bernardino, California, signal how some local Catholic officials are responding to the growing panic that immigrants feel from the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement.
Driving the news: The Diocese of San Bernardino announced Tuesday that immigrants who had a "genuine fear" about getting caught in immigration raids were dispensed from the weekly obligation of Sunday Mass.
"In issuing this decree, I'm guided by the Church's mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all entrusted under my care, particularly those who face fear or hardship," San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas and Vicar General Gerard M. Lopez wrote.
The diocese east of Los Angeles is the sixth-largest in the U.S. and serves around 1 million Catholics, according to its website.
The Diocese of Nashville issued a similar decree in May after officials noticed a significant decline in attendance at Spanish-speaking Mass services, per local media.
"In response to the recent immigration enforcement activities in the Nashville area, many of those in our diocese are concerned about possibly being confronted or detained while attending Mass or other parish events," the diocese said in a statement.
"Our churches remain open to welcome and serve our parish communities, but no Catholic is obligated to attend Mass on Sunday if doing so puts their safety at risk."
The intrigue: Catholic priest and author James Martin called the San Bernardino dispensation a wise move.
"It is a dramatic sign that not even Catholic churches are considered safe places any longer. Where are the voices for religious freedom now?" Martin posted on X.
State of play: The move comes after President Trump changed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy that previously prevented agents from raiding churches.
The move has met with intense criticism from some Christian leaders but drew praise from some white evangelicals.
Zoom in: It's unclear how many other dioceses are considering or have issued similar announcements.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom out: Dispensations from attending Mass for large populations are rare and occur only during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are usually granted to sick people who physically can't attend Mass, but rarely do they involve people targeted by law enforcement.
Between the lines: A recent survey shows the issue of immigration divides white and Latino Catholics, both of whom are also split along racial lines in their support for President Trump.