Latest news with #Bishop'sOffice
The Hill
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
California bishop allows parishioners to skip Mass amid ICE raids
Members of the Diocese of San Bernardino were relieved of the obligation to attend Mass and encouraged to take up personal prayer on Tuesday in light of the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the state of California. '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,' Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino wrote on X. The Bishop's Office said the decree will remain in effect until further notice or until the 'circumstances necessitating this decree are sufficiently resolved.' 'In issuing this decree, I am guided by the Church's mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all entrusted to my care, particularly those who face fear or hardship. I entrust this diocese to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and invoke God's blessing upon all the faithful,' Rojas said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) chimed in on the move, stating First Amendment rights were being attacked under the Trump administration. 'Freedom of religion? Not in Donald Trump's America. People now have to choose between their faith and their freedom,' Newsom wrote in a Wednesday post on X. His comments come after weeks of controversy as the state engages in a lawsuit against the federal government for dispersing National Guard soldiers on anti-ICE protestors. Democratic lawmakers have alleged that individuals are being detained without due process, deprived of clean drinking water and electricity.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Isle of Man faith groups canvassed on new organ donation law
Faith groups on the Isle of Man are being asked to provide feedback on laws that would make organ donation an "opt-out" system. A focus group will discuss the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act, which gained Royal Assent in 2021. Secondary legislation will be required to introduce the law on the Isle of meeting, co-hosted by Public Health and the Bishop of Sodor and Man, will be held on 2 May from 10:00 until 11:30 BST at the Bishop's Office in Douglas. The Right Reverend Patricia Hillas said the meeting would provide a "crucial platform" and ensure the "diverse perspectives" of faith communities will be "reflected" in how the law is implemented. Feedback sought Organ donation was a "profound act of generosity and compassion, deeply rooted in the moral and ethical teachings of many faiths", she well as shifting from an "opt-in" system to an "opt-out" one, the Act would align the Isle of Man with UK standards regarding the use, storage, and disposal of human tissue. The legislation is also known as Daniel's Law after 15-year-old Daniel Boyde, who suffered head injuries in a 2007 car crash near was taken to a UK hospital for brain surgery, but died two days teenager's organs were used to help three other young Isle of Man's public health director, Matt Tyrer, said it was important that the "opt-out" system would be "as inclusive as possible".He said the 2 May meeting would give faith leaders and people of different religions the chance to provide feedback and raise any said the new organ donation plans would be presented to Tynwald in wanting to attend the meeting have been urged to confirm their participation by 30 April. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
