San Bernardino Diocese Offers Relief from Mass Obligation Amid Immigration Concerns

In New Jersey, a Catholic priest leads a service. Amidst policy changes on immigration, church officials note a decrease in attendance due to concerns over safety.

Emerging as a precedent in the United States, the Diocese of San Bernardino has officially removed the Sunday Mass attendance requirement for Catholics troubled by potential immigration enforcement at their churches.

Ordinarily, Catholics are required to participate in Mass on Sundays and holy days, but Bishop Alberto Rojas has suspended this mandate for individuals within the diocese intimidated by immigration operations.

This decision follows instances of immigration detentions occurring on diocese properties within San Bernardino last June.

Nationwide, leaders within the Catholic community are observing a marked decline in Mass attendance linked directly to the immigration measures enacted under the Trump administration.

The diocese underscores that attending Mass should not compromise parishioners' security. Hence, San Bernardino’s decision to grant this special exemption—a first for its community of over a million Catholics.