Fresno Bishop Vows Church Support as ICE Detains Catholic Parishioners

Fresno Bishop Joseph V. Brennan expressed concern over the impact of increased immigration enforcement in the Central Valley, stating that it has created “considerable unrest, anxiety and even fear” among local communities. He noted that members of Catholic congregations have been detained, emphasizing that many of those affected are “family, neighbors and parishioners who are being uprooted from the lives they have built over many years among us.”

In a letter to parishioners, Brennan urged awareness of the broader implications of immigration enforcement, even for those not directly impacted. He called for solidarity with those affected, stating that “many of those who sit alongside you in the pews have been affected, with some already having been detained.” The bishop has been in contact with priests and local interfaith and advocacy partners to find ways to support families impacted by enforcement activity.

Brennan cited a statement from the Catholic bishops of the United States issued in November 2023, which expressed opposition to “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.” The bishops also expressed grief over parents fearing detention when taking their children to school and over family members who have already been separated from loved ones.

The bishop criticized current immigration operations for their “indiscriminate nature with little regard for the dignity of the human person.” He emphasized Catholic teaching on human dignity, referencing a statement attributed to Pope Leo XIV: “Human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border.” This aligns with the Church’s longstanding commitment to the inherent worth of every person.

Brennan pledged that the Diocese of Fresno and its parishes will provide support to affected families, including legal accompaniment and assistance with court proceedings. The diocese will also show up at immigration court, organize transportation and childcare, and offer advocacy. “We will not be silent,” he wrote, “and the Church – that’s us – will accompany our vulnerable neighbors in concrete, sustained ways.”

The bishop called for real immigration reform, urging elected officials to “do better” and implement “tangible results that reflect meaningful and just immigration reform.” His message reflects the Church’s commitment to justice, mercy, and the protection of human dignity, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for acting with justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

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