Migrants missing Mass

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New Orleans archbishop grants dispensation for immigrants afraid of ICE

The archbishop of New Orleans has issued a dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass for people who are afraid of encountering immigration officials when they leave their home.

"I have been made aware that many of our faithful families have chosen not to leave their homes out of fear of encountering immigration enforcement actions. In light of these circumstances, I am granting a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for those Catholics rightfully afraid to participate in Mass because of their fear," wrote Archbishop Gregory Aymond in a letter to clergy and laity.

The Trump administration has launched several targeted immigration enforcement operations in various states including Louisiana in recent weeks with the goal of removing immigrants in the country illegally.

Local police in Louisiana are now joining forces with federal immigration officers amid the immigration crackdown in New Orleans.

The operation, dubbed "Catahoula Crunch" after the Louisiana state dog, involves more than 20 law enforcement agencies and about 250 federal officers. Officials have said the operation is targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, though the raids are sending shockwaves through local communities, with some businesses closing and many parents afraid to send their children to school.

In his letter, Aymond acknowledged the fear many in the community are experiencing due to the increased immigration enforcement. He extended prayerful support to immigrant Catholics, urging people of faith and goodwill to work toward justice and uphold the dignity of all families, regardless of their origins.

Church mourns Brown University shooting victim as 'an incredible light'

A Birmingham church announced Sunday one of its beloved members was killed in the shooting on Brown University's campus.

Cathedral Church of the Advent reported that Ella Cook was a longtime parishioner along with her family, calling her a "tremendous light and such a witness."

"Tragically, one of those people is one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday," said Rev. Craig Smalley, according to WHDH.

Smalley said Cook "encouraged and lifted up those around her."

"She was an incredibly grounded, faithful, bright light not only here, at the Advent as she was engaged and involved in our worship and in our community as she served here at the church," he announced to the congregation. "But at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well."

Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth asked the public to pray for Cook, who he said was a sophomore.

"Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama. A bright future was ended much too soon," Ainsworth wrote on X.

The shooting occurred during one of the busiest moments of the academic calendar, as final exams were underway. Brown canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the semester and told students they could leave campus, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the gravity of the attack.

The shooter remains at large.

Religious leaders condemn assisted suicide law in Illinois

Catholic bishops in Illinois condemned a law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that allows physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill.

The law takes effect in September 2026 in order to give the Illinois Department of Public Health and other medical participants time to develop "stringent processes and protections" for implementing the provision, according to the Democratic governor's office.

Illinois is the twelfth state, along with the District of Columbia, to legalize assisted suicide.

The Catholic bishops of Illinois called the law a "dangerous and heartbreaking path." They had urged Gov. Pritzker to veto the bill.

"This bill is not about compassion," they wrote. "The legislation requires no services to be offered to the person requesting death, there is no requirement that family be near the loved one at the point of death, or that the person is not being coerced into ending their life."

"A compassionate path forward is to support dying persons by alleviating their suffering through palliative care, hospice care, and other comprehensive programs," the bishops continued. "Aiding someone in killing himself or herself is not the answer."

Governor Pritzker, who met with Pope Leo XIV on November 19, signed the bill into law on December 12.

"This legislation will be thoughtfully implemented so that physicians can consult patients on making deeply personal decisions with authority, autonomy, and empathy," Pritzker said.

Some Catholic hospitals announced they would not participate in prescribing life-ending medication for terminally ill patients. According to WGLT, OSF HealthCare, based in Peoria, said in a statement it was "saddened" to hear the governor had signed the bill.

This newsletter is written by Susie Pinto.

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