Catholic Church Addresses Immigration Fears Among Hispanic Parishioners in Ruskin

Fear of ICE Raids Impacting Church Attendance

• 😥 A Catholic priest in Ruskin, Father Kevin Jarnell, reports that some Hispanic parishioners are feeling anxious about attending church due to fears of ICE raids and questioning.
• 🎯 Approximately half of the congregation at St. Anne Catholic Church identifies as Hispanic, making the impact of recent ICE actions particularly significant.

Church Outreach and Education Efforts

• 💡 To address these concerns and provide peace of mind, the church hosted an expert to speak with parishioners about their rights.
• 🗣️ This initiative aims to educate congregants on what to do if they are stopped by ICE agents.

Faith and Obligation to Listen

• 🙏 Father Kevin emphasizes that people of faith are called to listen to their God, regardless of political affiliations.
• ❤️ He stresses the obligation to love and listen to others, even those with differing viewpoints, highlighting a core tenet of faith.

Broader Diocesan and Government Engagement

• ⛪ The diocese is actively training its pastors on how to handle situations where ICE agents might come to their church.
• 🎤 The US Secretary of Homeland Security was in Tampa, indicating a broader engagement with immigration issues in the region.