(NewsNation) — The Archbishop of New Orleans has issued a special dispensation to migrant Catholics who may not feel safe leaving their homes for Mass due to the ongoing federal immigration enforcement operation taking place in Louisiana’s largest city.
Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond on Monday granted the dispensation for Catholics to skip Mass until migrants determine it is safe for them to leave their homes again. More than 200 U.S. Border Patrol agents are in the greater New Orleans area as part of President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown being carried out in Democrat-led cities.
In a letter to area clergy and parishioners, Aymond wrote that the region’s immigrants face “real fear and anxiety” in the wake of the increased federal presence. In addition to urging Catholics to pray for those affected by the surge of federal agents that could soon include National Guard troops, Aymond granted the dispensation that lifts the obligation to attend Mass.
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The dispensation covers “those Catholics rightfully afraid to participate in Mass because of this fear.” He wrote that the dispensation would remain in place until individual Catholics feel safe leaving their home or until it is revoked or amended…