As the presence of immigration agents at places of worship escalates, congregations across Southern California are witnessing dwindling attendance at Mass.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, a prominent gathering spot for Catholics, has seen a significant drop in attendees as fears about deportations grow.
Isiah, a devout member of the congregation who requested anonymity due to immigration concerns, expressed that he refrained from attending weekly Mass for two weeks, substituting his absence with personal prayers.
“Church is not a place for threats,” he shared in Spanish, emphasizing the fear that drives many away.
A recent surge in immigration enforcement has left immigrant communities hiding, affecting local businesses and altering daily life.
This environment of fear has not only impacted attendance but has also sparked a crisis of faith among many Catholics who have habitually worshiped in public spaces.
In a significant move, Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, which serves approximately 1.2 million individuals, announced that parishioners may choose to stay home on Sundays to avoid potential immigration raids.
This decision was prompted by reports of arrests occurring in proximity to local churches, deeply troubling many in the congregation.
“I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time,” Rojas stated in a recent declaration.
Bishop Rojas’ decree is particularly noteworthy as it marks an unprecedented response from a Catholic leader in Southern California amid heightened immigration enforcement, characteristic of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Religious leaders endeavor to provide spiritual guidance during these challenging times but face the dilemma of balancing faith with safety.
Richard Wood, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, noted, “Bishop Rojas’ decision signals that the Church’s mission encompasses a higher calling: to embrace the downtrodden, welcome the stranger and distance itself from policies that dehumanize them.”
In May, the diocese in Nashville adopted a similar stance after experiencing immigration raids, stating that no Catholic would be obligated to attend Mass if their safety was at risk.
Brett Hoover, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University, remarked that it is rare for bishops to grant congregants an indefinite excuse from attending Sunday services.
Typically, such exemptions are limited to smaller groups due to specific challenges, such as illness or disasters.
This decree highlights the ongoing trauma experienced by immigrant families, many of whom have been directly affected by recent deportation actions.
“Catholic teaching is very clear that immigration, particularly deportations, should not split up families,” Hoover stated.
Historically, missing Sunday Mass would have seen Catholics facing serious moral implications.
However, the church’s recent directives may alleviate some of the guilt felt by parishioners hesitant to attend amid fears of arrest.
Beyond Rojas’ decree, the broader context shows an increasing number of bishops publicly opposing the administration’s aggressive immigration tactics, which have incited growing fear within immigrant populations.
Reports indicate that individuals have been detained while participating in everyday activities, heightening anxieties in communities where a substantial percentage are immigrants.
Research from the Pew Research Center estimates that over a quarter of U.S. Catholic adults were born outside of the United States, underscoring the personal impact of immigration policies on the church’s congregation.
Archbishop José Gomez of the Los Angeles Archdiocese has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, describing its policies as punitive rather than policy-driven.
“This is not policy, it is punishment,” Gomez wrote, emphasizing the cruel and arbitrary consequences of these enforcement actions.
Currently, numerous family members are being wrongly separated while families face potential deportation during ordinary activities.
On a recent pilgrimage, hundreds of Catholics joined Archbishop Gomez at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where he acknowledged the burdens borne from immigration enforcement.
“Today we lay all our cares at the feet of Our Lady,” Gomez stated during the homily, stressing the importance of faith in overcoming these challenges.
In Orange County, while Bishop Kevin Vann has not issued a general dispensation from Mass, his diocese has started home visits to offer Holy Communion to those too afraid to attend church services.
A letter released by Vann and his auxiliary bishops condemned recent raids, indicating that they spread “crippling fear and anxieties” among their dedicated parishioners.
Bishop Rojas’ announcement was made in response to apprehensions voiced by individuals who witnessed or experienced arrests at local parishes, intensifying existing fears among churchgoers.
Some religious institutions report that attendance has plummeted, with estimates indicating that as many as half of congregants are absent due to the looming threat of enforcement actions.
According to reports, someone was arrested at or near Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair during immigration raids, although the Department of Homeland Security refuted the claims.
“The accusation that ICE entered a church to make an arrest [is] FALSE,” stated DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, claiming arrests were conducted after individuals happened upon church property.
Bishop Rojas articulated in his decree that the fears surrounding potential immigration enforcement represent a significant barrier to fulfilling congregants’ spiritual needs.
He suggested that church members maintain spiritual communion through alternate means, such as praying the rosary or reading scripture, while also encouraging clergy members to provide supportive outreach to those affected.
On recent days, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels saw a modest gathering for Mass amid the current climate of fear, positioned close to ongoing protests against immigration enforcement.
Maria Machuca, one of the attendees who has immigrant parents, expressed hope that collective prayer might inspire some form of positive change.
Santi Camacho, a newcomer to church attendance, pointed out the difficult predicament faced by immigrant communities: risking arrest during worship or staying hidden at home.
Despite the potential risks, many remain committed to attending Mass.
“If all you have is family and your family is at the church, you’ll risk it,” Camacho concluded.
Isiah reflected on his return to church, affirming that for him, the sanctuary represents one of the few places where he feels secure.
“My belief is that if the police came, the church and God would protect me,” he stated confidently.
image source from：latimes
