The Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, USA, grants a dispensation to members of the faithful "who reasonably fear being detained" due to increased immigration enforcement activities in the area.
Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik
In response to the recent increase in immigration enforcement in the Diocese of Columbus, causing a rise in fear and feelings of anxiety among immigrant communities, Bishop Earl Fernandes has decided to “dispense from the obligation to attend Holy Mass, all those persons who reasonably fear being detained” effective until January 11, 2026. “Despite their fears, many came to Mass,” he said.
An increase in immigration enforcement at Christmastime
“Recent days have seen an increase in immigration enforcement in the Diocese of Columbus, causing a rise in fear and feelings of anxiety among our immigrant communities,” writes Bishop of Columbus Earl Fernandes in his decree. He shares that he has consulted closely with many of the pastors whose parishioners are more acutely affected by this recent surge in activity of immigration enforcement.
In his decree, he reiterates that the Christian faithful have an obligation, which is a disciplinary law of the Church, to participate in Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, including the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. At the same time, he acknowledges that “the fear associated with this recent activity of immigration enforcement may deter some of the Christian faithful from fulling their obligation to assist at Mass, which would be detrimental to their spiritual welfare. The diocesan bishop may dispense the faithful from disciplinary laws, both universal and particular, when it contributes to their spiritual welfare (cf. canon 87 §1).”
Dispensation from Mass for people fearing immigration detention
In this situation, Bishop Fernandes writes: “having considered the law and the facts, I hereby dispense from the obligation to attend Holy Mass, all those persons who reasonably fear being detained, even those with proper legal documentation, who fear separation from their families, experience intimidation because of their status or ethnic background, or other actions of immigration enforcement. This dispensation will last through the Christmas Season, which ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 11, 2026.”
He strongly encourages the Christian faithful who make use of this dispensation to engage “in spiritual practices during this time, including joining live-streamed Masses, making spiritual communion, praying the family rosary, meditating on the Nativity scene, and other activities of popular piety.” He also encourages pastors and all the priests serving the Diocese of Columbus to be generous in attending to the pastoral care of the faithful who cannot participate in Mass and who are in need of pastoral and sacramental care, including the sacraments of penance, anointing of the sick, or Holy Communion.
“I didn’t really want to do this, but the people were so anxious”
Speaking with Vatican News, Bishop Fernandes remarked, “I didn’t really want to do this, but the situation had become so dire, and the people were so anxious that I felt I needed to, especially after hearing from the priests at our Spanish-speaking parishes. I offered Mass in Spanish at one parish, followed by a Posada, but the crowd was down and the faithful felt that it was safe to do the procession and singing only inside the building."
He added that the faithful from the immigrant communities were very grateful. They experienced the closeness of the Church and expressed that they felt heard by us (the bishop and priests). Many of the other faithful expressed solidarity with the immigrant communities and were happy we finally said something. “Until now, we have tried to ‘minister in the shadows’, to not bring about more provocative and aggressive action,” he said.
“I recognize that countries have a right to security”
“Of course, the polarization that afflicts the country has infected the Church, so that there are some who use political talking points to express their outrage and suggest that we are encouraging flaunting of the law. We are most certainly not. What we are asking for is that churches and schools not be targeted, especially at Christmastime, and that families not be separated. I recognize that countries have a right to security and to control their borders; nevertheless, I made an appeal to conscience, in the spirit of the Jubilee, to allow families to share the peace of Christmas together,” says Bishop Fernandes. He added that many of those who criticized the decision were not aware of what we were seeing on the ground and who many people, because of race or ethnicity, were being profiled.
“I do not view law enforcement as bad or evil in any way; rather, I commend them for rooting out those who are truly violent, who traffic drugs or even people. We all want to feel safe and secure, but this safety and security, for some, especially for those who are away from home, is often found in our churches and our school communities,” underlines Bishop Fernandes.
Despite fears, many came to Mass
He appealed to the faithful to be generous at Christmastime, because the people who are too afraid to go to church are also afraid to go to work, which means that there will be a drop in income and many will go without basic necessities, including food.
He also called many of the pastors on Christmas Day itself and was happy to learn that many of the faithful, despite their fears, came to Mass to worship the newborn King. “The faith of the people inspires me,” he says.
“It’s not easy to be the bishop, but we must not fail to take decisions or lead. We may not be popular all the time, but we must exercise our prophetic voice and proclaim the Word of Life,” said Bishop Fernandes, speaking with Vatican News.
