The Catholic Bishop of Columbus (Ohio) this week issued a Decree (full text) granting a dispensation from participating in Christmas Mass to parishioners who fear being detained by ICE on their way to or from Mass. The Decree reads in part:
Recent days have seen an increase in immigration enforcement in the Diocese of Columbus, causing a rise in fear and feelings of anxiety among out immigrant communities....
The Christian faithful have an obligation, which is 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.... The fear associated with this recent activity of immigration enforcement may deter some of the Christian faithful from fulfilling their obligation to assist at Mass, which would be detrimental to their spiritual welfare.
The diocesan bishop is able to dispense the faithful from disciplinary laws ... when it contributes to their spiritual welfare....
... 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 the 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.
The Christian faithful who make use of this dispensation are strongly encouraged to engage in spiritual practices during this time....
A video statement from Bishop Fernandes announcing and expanding on the dispensation is available on the Diocese's website.
