Posted on 11/20/2025 5:56:34 PM PST by ebb tide
Bishop Michael Martin of the Diocese of Charlotte on Tuesday granted a Mass dispensation to immigrants “afraid” to attend due to the possibility of being deported.
“To those of you who are afraid to come to church, you are not obligated to attend Mass when you are inhibited from doing so by circumstances beyond your control, as the Church has always taught,” wrote Martin in a message calling for “prayer and fasting” “in solidarity with all migrants around the world.”
The letter was prompted by an uptick in the number of federal immigration officials in greater Charlotte, according to Martin.
The Department of Homeland Security announced last week that it is increasing resources in North Carolina to target “criminal illegal aliens,” such as murderers, rapists, and pedophiles, who came to the state due to left-wing sanctuary policies.
Martin, who is known for animosity towards traditional liturgical practices, previously signaled that, along with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), he opposes the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
The letter was criticized by President Donald Trump’s immigration chief, Tom Homan, for expressing disregard for the law of the country.
“I’m a lifelong Catholic, but I’m saying it not only as a border czar, but I’m also saying this as a Catholic, I think they need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church,” he said.
“According to them,” Homan added, “the message to the world is: if you cross the border illegally, which is a crime, don’t worry about it.”
Martin’s dispensation is especially shocking since it suggests escaping the consequences of a reasonable law takes precedence over the obligation to worship God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to care for one’s own soul through fulfillment of that obligation.
This is not the first time that a bishop has issued a Mass dispensation to those who fear of being deported, although it was unheard of until earlier this year. On June 8, Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino likewise dispensed the faithful from their Sunday Mass obligation, citing concerns about raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It was the first known instance in which Canon 1247 has been invoked to dispense Catholics from attending Sunday Mass in the absence of a natural disaster or major societal crisis.
Pope Leo XIV has expressed similar sentiments to Martin and the USCCB on immigration, and Martin shared that when he met with the pontiff on Wednesday, he thanked him for his messages on behalf of illegal immigrants.
Ping
I don’t recall any Irish Catholic bishops advertising dispensations from the Sunday Mass obligation during the bloody British persecutions.
But back then, the Catholics had shepherds, not wolves, as bishops.
This is the same bishop that is concerned that too many people in his diocese want to go to the Traditional Latin Mass, so he has shut down many of them.
Does Leo agree with Martin's dispensation of the Sunday Mass obligation?
Being in these United States ILLEGALLY is very much within their control, ya dumb bunny!!!
CCC 2241:
Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.
Quit teaching heresy, bishop!
Time for the church to loose its tax exempt status
Why? Because you have a theological disagreement with a rotten bishop?
Or do you just hate the Church on general principles?
He is DANCING ON THE TRAPDOOR OF HELL!!!
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