Catholic Bishops Hold Mass for Detainees at California ICE Center

Mass for Immigrant Detainees

• 🕊️ Catholic bishops from across California visited the Adelanto ICE Processing Center to hold a mass for detained immigrants.
• 💡 The visit, which took weeks to arrange, aimed to offer hope and understanding to the detainees during a solemn season.
• 📸 Images and video of the mass were supplied by the Archdiocese of San Bernardino, as media were not permitted inside.

Service Details and Restrictions

• 👨‍⚖️ Seven bishops participated, representing hundreds of thousands of parishioners who are praying for the detainees.
• ⛓️ The mass was held for approximately 1700 detainees, all men, with restrictions on direct contact and Holy Communion.
• 🚪 Bishops were led by guards and celebrated mass in sections, with some 200 detainees present in the first section.

Impact and Future Intentions

• 🙏 Bishops described the experience as personally moving, witnessing the detainees' emotional response, even through fences.
• 🤝 While direct conversation was limited, they felt a connection through shared fellowship and the exchange of peace signs.
• 🗓️ The bishops stated this was the beginning of their mission and they intend to return, echoing Pope Leo's call to support immigrants.