Bishop of Columbus Grants Mass Dispensation to Immigrants Who Fear Deportation
The bishop said he began receiving calls from pastors more than two hours from Columbus who were reporting ICE’s presence.
The bishop said he began receiving calls from pastors more than two hours from Columbus who were reporting ICE’s presence.
ICE says the agency ‘does not indiscriminately take enforcement actions’ at churches.
The celebration of Mass will continue, but without the obligation to attend on Sundays and holy days of obligation. It is unclear how long the dispensation will last.
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Kansas and Missouri dioceses have issued letters to the faithful.
Those who are ill or who would be significantly compromised by Covid-19 because of underlying health conditions were told by Archbishop Hartmayer that they may continue use the dispensation.
The Sunday Mass obligation will be restored for Catholics in the state next month.
Bishop Ricken clarified that public Masses are not being suspended and will continue to be celebrated, with continuing safety measures.
The South Dakota diocese is the first to lift the general dispensation brought in across U.S. dioceses in the wake of the pandemic.
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