Catholic bishop condemns immigration enforcement on church property: 'Not of the Gospel'

Michie · Jun 27, 2025

A Roman Catholic bishop has criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts, which he says have included federal agents entering a parish property to detain several people.

In a letter to parishioners who attend mass in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino in San Bernardino, California, posted to Facebook Tuesday, the Mexican-born Bishop Alberto Rojas commented on the "change and increase in immigration enforcement in our region and specifically our diocese."

"Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God," he said.

Continued below.

Catholic bishop condemns immigration enforcement on church property: 'Not of the Gospel'

A Roman Catholic bishop has criticized the Trump administration s immigration enforcement efforts, which he says have included federal agents entering a parish property to detain several people

www.christianpost.com

Valletta · Jun 27, 2025

Michie said:
A Roman Catholic bishop has criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts, which he says have included federal agents entering a parish property to detain several people.

In a letter to parishioners who attend mass in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino in San Bernardino, California, posted to Facebook Tuesday, the Mexican-born Bishop Alberto Rojas commented on the "change and increase in immigration enforcement in our region and specifically our diocese."

"Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God," he said.

Continued below.

Catholic bishop condemns immigration enforcement on church property: 'Not of the Gospel'

A Roman Catholic bishop has criticized the Trump administration s immigration enforcement efforts, which he says have included federal agents entering a parish property to detain several people

www.christianpost.com

ICE arrests illegals in public places because they don't have to get a warrant from a judge to do so. Federal agents may legally enter private property if they have a warrant from a judge. I hope we all can work together to allow those who love America to legally seek citizenship.

RileyG · Jun 27, 2025

Valletta said:
ICE arrests illegals in public places because they don't have to get a warrant from a judge to do so. Federal agents may legally enter private property if they have a warrant from a judge. I hope we all can work together to allow those who love America to legally seek citizenship.

Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Vambram · Jun 27, 2025

I very, very strongly disagree with that Roman Catholic bishop's stance concerning illegal immigrants. Also, I disagree with the premise of what he said.

ralliann · Jun 27, 2025

RileyG said:
Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Does the Catholic Church care about laws? I don't understand the attitude towards America here. Why don't they help these people by criticizing their own government that causes their desire to leave their own nation? Instead, they criticize a nation that has created better things for it's own peopls?

Valletta · Jun 27, 2025

RileyG said:
Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

The article said a parish property. If a judge is willing to issue a warrant to go on to church property,

RileyG said:
Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Churches have sometimes been considered sanctuaries over the ages. About the last place as a judge I would approve a warrant for is inside of a church. That being said, the bishop has a right to express his opinion on borders and immigrants and what he thinks should be due process for illegals. Other bishops might disagree with him.

Tuur · Jun 27, 2025

RileyG said:
Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

It's a controversial thing in the US, and has been long before now. The concept of sanctuary isn't quite as it seems even where it's recognized. For instance, someone granted sanctuary was escorted to the border of a country where they then had to leave. Not quite what some claimants today would want.

Still, the US has never officially recognized the right of sanctuary, nor the sanctity of church property. This is an old question that's just come up with a new issue.

RileyG · Jun 27, 2025

Tuur said:
It's a controversial thing in the US, and has been long before now. The concept of sanctuary isn't quite as it seems even where it's recognized. For instance, someone granted sanctuary was escorted to the border of a country where they then had to leave. Not quite what some claimants today would want.

Still, the US has never officially recognized the right of sanctuary, nor the sanctity of church property. This is an old question that's just come up with a new issue.

Thanks for the response!

RileyG · Jun 27, 2025

ralliann said:
Does the Catholic Church care about laws? I don't understand the attitude towards America here. Why don't they help these people by criticizing their own government that causes their desire to leave their own nation? Instead, they criticize a nation that has created better things for its own peopls?

The Church absolutely does! One bishops comments does not speak for the entire Church!

ralliann · Jun 27, 2025

RileyG said:
The Church absolutely does! One bishops comments does not speak for the entire Church!

The Pope has spoken similarly.

ozso · Jun 27, 2025

RileyG said:
Churches are considered sanctuaries, correct? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

According to a California based law firm called Church Law Center:

Dispelling Myths About Churches as Sanctuaries from the Law

A church is not a valid sanctuary against arrest

A church can play a role as sanctuary in a wide range of circumstances, including protecting victims of domestic violence, shielding minors from abusers, and simply providing a warm place to sleep during freezing weather. But a church is not, as a general rule, a place where suspected criminals can successfully hide. The law does not prevent police, including immigration enforcement and other specialized units, from entering church grounds to arrest a criminal suspect who has claimed religious sanctuary.

That’s the legal side of this question, but there’s also a cultural dimension. Media reports have indicated that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been reluctant to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants who have sheltered in churches. This is almost certainly because of the potential backlash from the community, which probably doesn’t understand the extralegal nature of “sanctuary” churches.

Church as a Sanctuary from the Law - Church Law Center

Churches that provide sanctuary to fugitives should take a moment to understand the limits upon a church’s ability to prevent law enforcement from arresting someone on church grounds, as well as the potential legal liability to the church, its employees, and its volunteers.

www.churchlawcenter.com

Valletta · Jun 28, 2025

ralliann said:
The Pope has spoken similarly.

Popes too are allowed personal opinions.

RileyG · Jun 28, 2025

ozso said:
According to a California based law firm called Church Law Center:

Dispelling Myths About Churches as Sanctuaries from the Law

A church is not a valid sanctuary against arrest
A church can play a role as sanctuary in a wide range of circumstances, including protecting victims of domestic violence, shielding minors from abusers, and simply providing a warm place to sleep during freezing weather. But a church is not, as a general rule, a place where suspected criminals can successfully hide. The law does not prevent police, including immigration enforcement and other specialized units, from entering church grounds to arrest a criminal suspect who has claimed religious sanctuary.

That’s the legal side of this question, but there’s also a cultural dimension. Media reports have indicated that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been reluctant to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants who have sheltered in churches. This is almost certainly because of the potential backlash from the community, which probably doesn’t understand the extralegal nature of “sanctuary” churches.

Church as a Sanctuary from the Law - Church Law Center

Churches that provide sanctuary to fugitives should take a moment to understand the limits upon a church’s ability to prevent law enforcement from arresting someone on church grounds, as well as the potential legal liability to the church, its employees, and its volunteers.

www.churchlawcenter.com

Thank you for the info.

RileyG · Jun 28, 2025

Valletta said:
Popes too are allowed personal opinions.

Which aren’t infallible statements, since they don’t concern teachings directly related to the Church.

RileyG · Jun 28, 2025

ralliann said:
The Pope has spoken similarly.

Yes? So?

ralliann · Jun 28, 2025

RileyG said:
Yes? So?

Well he speaks for the Church.

ralliann · Jun 28, 2025

Valletta said:
Popes too are allowed personal opinions.

Which the bishops will follow...

Michie · Jun 28, 2025

ralliann said:
Which the bishops will follow...

Not really. There are many within the Church that try to change dogma even. A position in the RCC does not turn anyone into a drone and each individual is allowed personal opinions and there is no obligation to agree with another’s personal opinions, even if it’s the pope. We are allowed to respectfully disagree within the church, just like any other.

Canuckster · Jun 28, 2025

The Catholic church was a place to seek refuge from injustice not justice.

RileyG · Jun 28, 2025

ralliann said:
Well he speaks for the Church.

But not all of his statements are infallible.

Catholic bishop condemns immigration enforcement on church property: 'Not of the Gospel'

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Dispelling Myths About Churches as Sanctuaries from the Law​

A church is not a valid sanctuary against arrest​

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A church is not a valid sanctuary against arrest​

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