Two Catholic dioceses—San Bernardino in California and Nashville in Tennessee—have issued rare dispensations relieving certain Catholics of their Sunday Mass obligation due to rising fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino invoked Canon 1247 to authorize the exemption, citing a significant drop in attendance among Spanish-speaking congregants and the emotional burden placed on immigrant families.
The official decree from the Diocese of San Bernardino states: “Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass: 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.”
The decision was prompted by a nearly 50% decline in Mass attendance among the local Hispanic Catholic population.
The Diocese of Nashville implemented a similar dispensation in May, noting that ICE has stopped honoring church grounds as protected from enforcement activities. The Tennessee Catholic Conference emphasized that the measure aims to preserve safety and spiritual access, not to protest federal law enforcement efforts. Church leaders have advised the faithful to engage in spiritual activities at home, such as prayer, reading Scripture, or watching livestreamed Mass, when in-person worship is not possible due to credible fears.
Canon law permits bishops to release Catholics from the Sunday obligation under extraordinary circumstances. These dispensations have historically been rare, typically reserved for events like pandemics or natural disasters.
As the Trump administration continues to enforce immigration laws, these dispensations raise concerns among conservative Catholics about the Church’s response. Upholding law and order must remain a priority, even as the Church offers pastoral care. Diocesan leaders now face the challenge of maintaining doctrinal integrity while ministering to those affected by lawful enforcement actions.
