In an extraordinary move, the Bishop of San Bernardino, Alberto Rojas, today issued a decree dispensing members of his diocese from the obligation to attend Mass if they are afraid of “immigration enforcement actions.”

The decree was released in both English and Spanish. The English text is below:

By the Grace of God and the Apostolic See,

Alberto Rojas, Bishop of San Bernardino

To all the faithful of the Diocese of San Bernardino

In light of the pastoral needs of our diocese and the concerns expressed by many of our brothers and sisters regarding fears of attending Mass due to potential immigration enforcement actions by civil authorities, I, as your shepherd, issue this decree in accordance with my authority under the Code of Canon Law, particularly Canon 87 §1, which states: “A diocesan bishop, whenever he judges that it contributes to their spiritual good, is able to dispense the faithful from universal and particular disciplinary laws issued for his territory or his subjects by the supreme authority of the Church.”

Recognizing that fear of immigration enforcement, such as raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), may deter some members of our diocese from fulfilling the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation (cf. Canon 1247), and acknowledging that such fear constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful, I hereby decree the following:

  • 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.
  • Encouragement of Alternative Spiritual Practices: Those dispensed from attending Mass are encouraged to maintain their spiritual communion with Christ and His Church through acts of personal prayer, reading of Sacred Scripture, or participation in devotions such as the Rosary or the Divine Mercy. Where possible, the faithful may also participate in televised or online Masses offered by the diocese or other reputable Catholic sources.
  • Pastoral Care and Assurance: Pastors, parochial vicars, and other pastoral ministers are to provide compassionate support to those affected by this fear, ensuring that they feel welcomed and safe in our Parishes are encouraged to explore alternative means of catechesis and sacramental preparation for those unable to attend regularly.
  • Duration and Scope: This dispensation applies to all affected faithful within the territorial boundaries of the Diocese of San Bernardino and remains in effect until further notice or until such time as the circumstances necessitating this decree are sufficiently resolved.

In issuing this decree, I am guided by the Church’s mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all entrusted to my care, particularly those who face fear or hardship. I entrust this diocese to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and invoke God’s blessing upon all the faithful.

Given at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of San Bernardino, this 8th day of July 2025.

You can find the original documents here on the diocesan website. 

Last month, NCR reported that ICE detained migrants at two parishes in the diocese. Bishop Rojas denounced the moves at the time, but clearly felt more action was required.

In May, one other diocese told its people that they were not required to attend Mass if they were afraid, but the bishop stopped short of issuing a formal decree.

OSV News reported: 

Amid an immigration enforcement operation in Nashville, Tennessee, that has emptied the pews at several Spanish-speaking parishes, the Diocese of Nashville is reminding faithful that they are not required to attend Sunday Mass if they fear for their well-being according to the church’s own teaching and canon law.

That message, disseminated to diocesan parishes, comes amid a joint operation between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Tennessee Highway Patrol that has so far resulted in 196 arrests in the area.

In an email to OSV News, Rick Musacchio, the executive director of the Tennessee Catholic Conference, provided a copy of the diocese’s statement regarding Mass attendance.

“In response to the recent immigration enforcement activities in the Nashville area, many of those in our diocese are concerned about possibly being confronted or detained while attending Mass or other parish events,” the statement said. “Our churches remain open to welcome and serve our parish communities, but no Catholic is obligated to attend Mass on Sunday if doing so puts their safety at risk.”

Speaking on behalf of the Nashville Diocese, Musacchio told OSV News by phone that so far, he is aware of “one member of one of our parishes being detained.” But he added, “One of the issues is it’s been very difficult to determine actually who has been arrested or detained.”

“Sunday Mass attendance at both of our major, primarily Spanish-speaking parishes was down about 50%” due to ICE’s operation, he said.

The pastor of one of the affected parishes “told me the half that was here” in church was “very, very sad,” said Musacchio.

Typically, those two largely Spanish-language parishes are “packed to the gills,” he said, not only for Sunday Mass, but “on many evenings of the week.”