Bishop of Columbus Grants Mass Dispensation to Immigrants Who Fear Deportation
The bishop said he began receiving calls from pastors more than two hours from Columbus who were reporting ICE’s presence. The bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, has granted a dispensation from Mass for parishioners who fear deportation by immigration enforcement officers. This follows increased activity from Operation Buckeye, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiative launched in mid-December. Bishop Earl Fernandes announced that those who fear immigration enforcement action are free from attending Sunday Mass until Jan. 11, 2026. The dispensation was prompted by concerns about the safety of Hispanic parishioner due to increased enforcement by ICE officers. The bishop stated that he wanted families to be together without fear for Christmas. He also expressed concern for the Haitian community whose temporary protected status (TPS) is set to expire on Feb. 3, 2025.
Published : 5 months ago by Amira Abuzeid/CNA in
The bishop said he began receiving calls from pastors more than two hours from Columbus who were reporting ICE’s presence.
The bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, has granted a dispensation from... [3883 symbols]
Topics: Christianity