In a move that has rippled far beyond church pews, the Catholic Diocese of Columbus has formally excused some parishioners from their obligation to attend Mass, not because of illness or weather, but because they are afraid of immigration enforcement.
Issued by Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, the decree grants a dispensation from Sunday and holy day Mass attendance for Catholics who reasonably fear detention or intimidation due to immigration enforcement activity. The order applies throughout the Diocese of Columbus, which spans central and southern Ohio, and remains in effect through the Christmas season, ending January 11, 2026.
Columbus Catholics are not required to attend Mass if they are afraid of being kidnapped by ICE…