Details, from the Victorville Daily Press:
Six of California’s Catholic bishops visited the Adelanto ICE Processing Center on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to celebrate Mass with the detainees inside the facility.
The visit was part of the California Catholic Conference’s ongoing pastoral outreach to migrants, refugees and those facing immigration proceedings.
The Catholic leaders followed Mass with a press conference at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church to discuss their visit, the dignity of immigrants, the Church’s commitment to accompaniment and the urgent need for humane treatment of all individuals in detention.
According to representatives from the California Catholic Conference, the goal of the visit was to offer spiritual support and stand in solidarity with immigrants in detention.
By celebrating Mass at the facility, the bishops hope to remind those held there that they are not forgotten and that the Church walks with them in their uncertainty and separation from family.
The attending bishops included Bishop Alberto Rojas, Diocese of San Bernardino; Bishop Oscar Cantú, Diocese of San José; Bishop Brian Nunes, Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Bishop Matt Elshoff, Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Bishop Marc Trudeu, Archdiocese of Los Angeles; and Bishop Rey Barsabal, Diocese of Sacramento.
Members of the California Catholic Conference stated that the bishops’ presence also reflects the Church’s commitment to upholding the dignity of every person and advocating for a more just and merciful immigration system.
The Adelanto facility started the year with three detainees. After the immigration sweeps across Southern California in June, more than 1,000 detainees were shuttled to the Adelanto processing center to await deportation.
California’s clergy and diocesan leaders have not been silent about the immigration issue stoking the nation this year.
San Bernardino Diocese Bishop Alberto Rojas released a statement in late June condemning ICE activity in San Bernardino County and excusing parishioners from further Sunday Masses amid fear of illegal raids and deportation, accusing it is “not of the Gospel.”
He stated that the San Bernardino Diocese stands with the immigrant communities and does not condone the ICE tactics of indiscriminately seizing.
