Two Catholic dioceses in the United States have issued exceptional dispensations excusing undocumented immigrants from Sunday mass obligations in response to growing fear surrounding immigration enforcement activity.

The dioceses of San Bernardino in California and Nashville in Tennessee made the rare decision to excuse attendance after federal raids and policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration led to widespread concern and dwindling church participation among immigrant populations, The Christian Post reported.

In Southern California, Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino announced in June that, due to the “genuine fear” of immigration enforcement, individuals unable to attend mass would be excused from the Catholic requirement to do so on Sundays and holy days of obligation, citing Canon 1247 of Church law.

Bishop cites security concerns on parish property

The decree issued by Bishop Rojas remains valid until further notice and was described as a pastoral response to the threat of anti-immigrant actions. Immigrant faithful are encouraged to maintain their spiritual lives through prayer, Bible reading, and televised or digital worship instead of attending services in person.

Concern intensified after an incident at St. Adelaide Church in Highland, California, where federal immigration officers reportedly entered the property and detained several individuals in the church parking lot. Diocesan officials confirmed that those detained were neither employees nor parishioners.

In a letter to the congregation, Bishop Rojas condemned the “indiscriminate” action by immigration authorities and said federal agents are now apprehending people in various public spaces, including near churches, homes, and workplaces, with little regard for personal dignity or due process.

Drop in attendance follows high-profile raids

The Diocese of Nashville implemented a similar mass exemption earlier in May following a significant drop in attendance after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made nearly 200 arrests in the greater Nashville area. The incident caused attendance at several Spanish-language masses to fall by as much as 50%, according to local reports.

In the aftermath of the raids, the Catholic bishops of Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville released a joint statement questioning whether the arrests were truly aimed at dangerous individuals. According to them, about 100 of those detained had no previous criminal records.

The Tennessee bishops emphasized that their concerns go beyond religious protection and touch upon the broader need for comprehensive immigration reforms and a clearer set of enforcement priorities.

Trump administration shifts enforcement boundaries

The bishops' statement argued that many undocumented individuals have lived peacefully in the U.S. for years and that the current enforcement strategies place these families at risk without clear criteria. They stressed the importance of respecting human rights and treating all people with basic dignity.

Policy changes since President Trump took office in January modified the longstanding “Sensitive Locations” policy, which had previously limited immigration arrests at churches and other protected areas. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security defended these changes by stating that churches and schools should not provide sanctuary for criminals.

The announcement sparked fear among immigrant communities, many of whom had previously felt safe attending religious services. While no mass raids inside churches have occurred, the perceived risk has led some parishioners to stay away from public worship altogether.

Immigration enforcement sparks religious pushback

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, stated he received personal assurances that ICE would not conduct armed operations during church services. He emphasized that there was no historical precedent for such actions and did not expect them under the current administration.

Despite those assurances, Bishop Rojas has made it clear that the situation on church grounds in San Bernardino contradicts those promises. He insists that while law enforcement has a duty to protect communities, actions at houses of worship should be conducted with caution and humanity.

The response from Catholic leaders in both states reflects a broader concern within faith communities about immigration enforcement taking place near sacred spaces, historically seen as refuges and gathering places for vulnerable groups.

Churches caught between worship and worry

Officials within the Diocese of Nashville noted in their statement that many parishioners have expressed deep anxiety about attending public religious events due to fear of being detained. As a result, they decided to lift the mass obligation to prioritize their community’s safety.

They made it clear that their churches remain open and welcoming, but emphasized that no parishioner is required to attend if they believe doing so could place them in harm’s way, especially in light of increased federal activity in immigrant neighborhoods.

Bishop Rojas echoed this perspective, stating that people of faith must not be made to choose between religious obligation and personal safety. He called on authorities to implement protocols that better balance community safety with compassion and due process.