Detainees denied communion at Illinois detention facility

[Michie]

Bishop Jose María García-Maldonado celebrated a Mass Nov. 1 outside the Broadview facility in Chicago where immigration advocates allege federal authorities inhumanely treat detainees.

Maldonado, an auxiliary bishop in Chicago, and a group of eight spiritual leaders sought to bring Holy Communion to detainees and were not admitted. Mass organizers said they followed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines to obtain access and submitted the request weeks in advance.

An estimated 2,000 Catholics attended the outdoor Mass including Sister JoAnn Persch, 91, a Sister of Mercy and longtime advocate for immigrant rights in the Chicago area.

Persch said in previous years she was granted access to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and brought communion to detainees, but access has ceased. Obtaining access initially took time when she first began visiting the facility a decade ago, she said.

Continued below.

Detainees denied communion at Illinois detention facility

Bishop Jose María García-Maldonado celebrated a Mass Nov. 1 outside the Broadview facility in Chicago where immigration advocates allege federal authorities inhumanely treat detainees.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

Bishop Jose María García-Maldonado celebrated a Mass Nov. 1 outside the Broadview facility in Chicago where immigration advocates allege federal authorities inhumanely treat detainees.

Maldonado, an auxiliary bishop in Chicago, and a group of eight spiritual leaders sought to bring Holy Communion to detainees and were not admitted. Mass organizers said they followed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines to obtain access and submitted the request weeks in advance.

An estimated 2,000 Catholics attended the outdoor Mass including Sister JoAnn Persch, 91, a Sister of Mercy and longtime advocate for immigrant rights in the Chicago area.

Persch said in previous years she was granted access to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and brought communion to detainees, but access has ceased. Obtaining access initially took time when she first began visiting the facility a decade ago, she said.

Continued below.

Detainees denied communion at Illinois detention facility

Bishop Jose María García-Maldonado celebrated a Mass Nov. 1 outside the Broadview facility in Chicago where immigration advocates allege federal authorities inhumanely treat detainees.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

I am skeptical about them following ‘exactly’ the protocol for access. It reads more like a stunt.

Now if they did really follow the access rules exactly, and we’re still turned down then THAT would be a matter of grave concern as the religious liberties inherent to every human being, even in prison or detention, have been violated by a country that has such human rights in its constitution.

I want to hear more about this, in particular what the government claims is the reason for the denial. Until then I’m skeptical.

 

[RileyG]

My only comment is....I hope the faithful have access to the sacraments. Beyond that, I can't make much judgment.

 

[chevyontheriver]

My only comment is....I hope the faithful have access to the sacraments. Beyond that, I can't make much judgment.

Our government has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation for the religious needs even of prisoners. Not just any old accommodation by anybody on a whim, but they must be reasonable.

 

[RileyG]

Our government has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation for the religious needs even of prisoners. Not just any old accommodation by anybody on a whim, but they must be reasonable.

Amen!