The Catholic Diocese of Columbus has excused Mass attendance through Jan. 11 as ICE operations increase fear within immigrant communities during Christmas.
Columbus Bishop Excuses Mass Attendance Amid ICE Operations
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus has announced a temporary exemption allowing parishioners to miss Mass during the Christmas season amid increased activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Central Ohio.
In a letter shared on social media on December 23, Bishop Earl Fernandes said heightened immigration enforcement in the Columbus Diocese has created widespread fear and anxiety within immigrant communities. According to the bishop, the presence of federal agents near Catholic churches and schools has contributed to a climate of concern rather than peace during the holiday season.
The dispensation relieves individuals from the obligation to attend Mass and holy days of obligation through January 11. It applies to anyone who fears possible detention, regardless of immigration status.
Bishop Fernandes said local parishes have already experienced a significant decline in attendance at Mass and pre-Christmas church activities. He attributed the drop to ICE’s ongoing “Operation Buckeye,” noting that many families are avoiding not only church services but also workplaces due to fear.
“People are afraid to go to church and even to work,” Fernandes stated, warning that continued fear could result in economic hardship for families and shortages of essential goods, including food.
While reaffirming his support for law enforcement efforts focused on serious and violent crime, the bishop appealed for compassion during the Christmas season. He urged those enforcing immigration laws to avoid actions that could unnecessarily separate families during the holidays.
Churches across the Diocese of Columbus will remain open, the bishop said, but he encouraged parishioners to use good judgment when deciding whether to attend services. He also asked those who are able to attend Mass to pray for individuals who feel unsafe doing so.
“Our churches are meant to be places of hope, peace, and welcome for all people,” Fernandes said, emphasizing the church’s role as a refuge during times of uncertainty.
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