In a rare statement on Wednesday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned President Donald Trump’s policies on mass deportation, immigrant detention and raids near houses of worship.
“We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” the bishops wrote in a special pastoral message. “We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.”
The statement stops short of mentioning Trump explicitly. However, it takes issue with a number of proposals he’s implemented as part of his administration’s brutal crackdown on immigrants across the country.
It also adds to Pope Leo’s remarks, in which the pontiff said he wasn’t sure if those who support the “inhuman treatment” of immigrants are necessarily “pro-life,” and comments he’s made urging “deep reflection” on how immigrants are being treated under this administration.
The message arrives as there have been concerning reports of immigrants being denied pastoral care in detention and of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers targeting people while they’re on church grounds. (Previously, churches as well as schools were among the places the Biden administration deemed generally off-limits for ICE arrests, though the Trump administration has changed that policy. )
