Overview

• On July 8, Bishop Alberto Rojas invoked Canon 1247 to excuse any faithful in his diocese who fear immigration enforcement from attending Sunday and holy day Masses
• The dispensation will remain in effect until the decree is revoked or the circumstances prompting it are sufficiently resolved
• Following ICE arrests at two parishes on June 20, the diocese reports no further enforcement actions on church property
• The Diocese of San Bernardino has launched “Know Your Rights” workshops and partnered with immigrant-rights groups to prepare parishioners for potential interactions with authorities
• Parishioners unable to attend Mass are encouraged to maintain spiritual communion through personal prayer, scripture reading and televised or online services