Pope Leo XIV told Bishop Seitz the church cannot stay quiet about ICE. This month, an archbishop in Texas listened — and the Diocese of Portland didn’t.
Thank you for your truth, Chris. How any Catholic can work for ICE is a question that has troubled me from the beginning. I say to such people, “Have you no conscience? How do you look at yourself in the mirror each morning? Since when has it been the norm for the USA to operate on the basis of Shoot & Kill first and ask questions later?
Thank you for the newsletter, Chris. Like the Pope or anyone else. I can’t be silent. ICE is corrupt. They made up the fact he was carrying drugs which was salt. My condolences 💐 to his family and children. Abolish ice. I will continue to pray for Pope Leo and anyone in ice detention facilities. I feel they need to be released immediately. My prayers for this country and those serving again in the gulf.
ICE is not acting lawfully. They have no compliance with the constitution. Please keep speaking out and naming those who do the same, like Bishop Seitz and many others.
Bishop James Ruggieri needs to take his responsibilities toward immigrants into action mode. What ICE is doing w these shootings and their lack of training & professionalism are intolerable. If it's his political views at play here, he can read Hannah Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism" or re-read it more closely if he already has.
Agreed, he should be more forceful in condemning the murders of Mr. Salgado and Mr. Durán. Dinesh D’Souza, who jumped the shark years ago, now identifies with white Christian Nationalism, even though he was born in India. D’Souza was Catholic until he married his evangelical ex-wife. D’Souza lies about Catholic charities making money off immigrants, whether documented or not. Dolan correctly states the support of migrants costs the Church money. I would much rather have them support migrants. We have duties to do so as Jesus instructed.
It’s also embarrassing that Tom Homan and Gregory Bovino are Catholic, and Trump pardoned Homan for accepting a bribe, although they never adjudicated the matter. Brouillette’s own ancestors may have been French-Canadian based on his family name. His history of violence toward his ex-wives and threats to them make him an unqualified choice for ICE.
I am on the ground in Houston. The facts on the ground go very much against your assertion — which is based only on one 8-days-late statement by Archbishop Vasquez. My reporting on the ground in parishes since Alex Pretti’s murder reveals this — pastors and priests have NOT BEEN ALLOWED to preach about this at all. Including about Araujo’s murder. I have the receipts.
I believe you. Ever since the Bishop in Tyler Texas was finally removed, I've been gobsmacked by the Catholic Churches in east Texas and priests telling their constituents if they vote for Biden, they'll go to Hell for eternity.
Thank you Geri. Church leadership trades on their followers’ blind fealty — and now it’s showing in their SILENCE on immigration and now murder.
I sincerely hope that Christopher Hale, who now runs in the top echelons of Catholic media — “I was in Lampedusa” yada yada — widens his professional aperture past the dangerous daily pablum of the USCCB and many of the Archbishops.
Otherwise this independent journalist is not independent at all — he is then sadly part of The Problem.
I do want to say the Texas Catholics probably prayed for the Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero too. I know I did. Bishop James Ruggieri, Diocese of Portland, ME is not acting like Jesus. 🙏🏼 when people act like this I think of Jesus “Please forgive them for they do not what they do” I’m paraphrasing.
We all make mistakes. It’s so hard to keep straight the different names! I checked before I commented, bc I don’t trust my brain when it tickles ‘that’s not right’.
I should be asleep… but I have got to get a couple hours of catching up on politics. 😴 My day started with a Block walk for Texas HD121, then visit with grandchildren. Then an organizing meeting from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Then cut turf for a new precinct chair. Then spoke to a friend who needed an emotional listener. Thank God there is a Saturday Mass. 🙏🏼
What is the Pope’s response to this errant Bishop? Where are the members of the diocese? Why aren’t they VIGOROUSLY and LOUDLY protesting in front of the Bishop’s residence? I’m disgusted by the Catholic Hierarchy who are complicit in the killings of innocent people by either no response or a tepid one. These incidents prove once more that I was correct in leaving the Catholic Church.
When half the catholics are told by their priests that if they vote for Biden they'll go to Hell (because they kill babies); what else can you expect?
When the Bishop in Tyler, Texas was finally removed, half the congregation protested. (Those were the maga catholics...you know the ones who believe like Vance that one only has to love and help one's family.) smh
Florida a man was struck by a semi truck fleeing ICE
Juan Jairo Coronilla Duran, from Guanajuato, México. 28 years old
His wife, Yésica Alamilla López, said Coronilla Duran was a father of two who arrived in the United States three weeks ago to work. She said he entered with a tourist visa.
What is it about us that despite our immigrant descent, too many of us feel entitled to treat newer immigrants with contempt and disrespect? Would Jesus have done this?
MAGAs seem to believe in the birth and the death/and arising from the dead. They do not subscribe to any of His teachings, or the 10 Commandments. They know better than God, and they traded Jesus for the felon. ;( They claim empathy is one of the worst characteristics that one can demonstrate. They do not believe in loving and helping everyone. The ones I know personally are very prejudiced against Hispanics and Blacks, and it wouldn't hurt their feelings if all the people of color left the country...unless they are one of the "good ones that know their place". Yes, I've heard this statement way too frequently in east Texas, by residents. It's so not catholic of them, isn't it? :(
No, it’s not, and my parents taught us to not indulge in prejudicial assumptions and to treat all adults and children with courtesy. Unfortunately, a lot of white Catholics (Steve Scalise comes to mind) adopt the prejudices as their other white neighbors. My faith did not allow me to support someone like Trump, and none of my family can tolerate him. My dad especially detested Trump and one of my brothers waxes eloquently on his detestation.
Thank you for your truth, Chris. How any Catholic can work for ICE is a question that has troubled me from the beginning. I say to such people, “Have you no conscience? How do you look at yourself in the mirror each morning? Since when has it been the norm for the USA to operate on the basis of Shoot & Kill first and ask questions later?
And questions will no longer be asked. 💔🤬 *FBI will no longer investigate ICE confrontations, The New York Times reports*
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/19/ice-assault-claims-fbi.html
They didn't investigate anyway, the covered up the evidence. The FBI is like the CDC: we can no longer believe them, imo.
Thank you for the newsletter, Chris. Like the Pope or anyone else. I can’t be silent. ICE is corrupt. They made up the fact he was carrying drugs which was salt. My condolences 💐 to his family and children. Abolish ice. I will continue to pray for Pope Leo and anyone in ice detention facilities. I feel they need to be released immediately. My prayers for this country and those serving again in the gulf.
ICE is not acting lawfully. They have no compliance with the constitution. Please keep speaking out and naming those who do the same, like Bishop Seitz and many others.
Bishop James Ruggieri needs to take his responsibilities toward immigrants into action mode. What ICE is doing w these shootings and their lack of training & professionalism are intolerable. If it's his political views at play here, he can read Hannah Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism" or re-read it more closely if he already has.
Agreed, he should be more forceful in condemning the murders of Mr. Salgado and Mr. Durán. Dinesh D’Souza, who jumped the shark years ago, now identifies with white Christian Nationalism, even though he was born in India. D’Souza was Catholic until he married his evangelical ex-wife. D’Souza lies about Catholic charities making money off immigrants, whether documented or not. Dolan correctly states the support of migrants costs the Church money. I would much rather have them support migrants. We have duties to do so as Jesus instructed.
It’s also embarrassing that Tom Homan and Gregory Bovino are Catholic, and Trump pardoned Homan for accepting a bribe, although they never adjudicated the matter. Brouillette’s own ancestors may have been French-Canadian based on his family name. His history of violence toward his ex-wives and threats to them make him an unqualified choice for ICE.
I am on the ground in Houston. The facts on the ground go very much against your assertion — which is based only on one 8-days-late statement by Archbishop Vasquez. My reporting on the ground in parishes since Alex Pretti’s murder reveals this — pastors and priests have NOT BEEN ALLOWED to preach about this at all. Including about Araujo’s murder. I have the receipts.
Thank you, Sarah. I too have lived in Houston and I totally agree. Please stay safe, courageous. May God bless... . Amen.
Someone has to speak up to these people. 🙏
I believe you. Ever since the Bishop in Tyler Texas was finally removed, I've been gobsmacked by the Catholic Churches in east Texas and priests telling their constituents if they vote for Biden, they'll go to Hell for eternity.
Thank you Geri. Church leadership trades on their followers’ blind fealty — and now it’s showing in their SILENCE on immigration and now murder.
I sincerely hope that Christopher Hale, who now runs in the top echelons of Catholic media — “I was in Lampedusa” yada yada — widens his professional aperture past the dangerous daily pablum of the USCCB and many of the Archbishops.
Otherwise this independent journalist is not independent at all — he is then sadly part of The Problem.
✝️🗣️🙏🔥
Interesting: let us know
more as you follow the facts.
TRUTH MATTERS!
Thank you Geraldine. You can request to follow my Instagram for parish by parish reports in real time
@sarahfisherportraits
And I have been invited by a Houston newspaper to write about my “church protest” — so stay tuned.
I do want to say the Texas Catholics probably prayed for the Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero too. I know I did. Bishop James Ruggieri, Diocese of Portland, ME is not acting like Jesus. 🙏🏼 when people act like this I think of Jesus “Please forgive them for they do not what they do” I’m paraphrasing.
I think you meant to write Bishop James Ruggieri, Diocese of Portland, ME, not Bishop Sietz.
You are correct. 🙏🏼
I will try to correct it. My apologies.
We all make mistakes. It’s so hard to keep straight the different names! I checked before I commented, bc I don’t trust my brain when it tickles ‘that’s not right’.
I should be asleep… but I have got to get a couple hours of catching up on politics. 😴 My day started with a Block walk for Texas HD121, then visit with grandchildren. Then an organizing meeting from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Then cut turf for a new precinct chair. Then spoke to a friend who needed an emotional listener. Thank God there is a Saturday Mass. 🙏🏼
Done.
Bishop Ruggiero needs to explain why he is not concerned about the death of one of his flock.
Because a universal Church does not require immigration paperwork.
The immorality comes from the top. Trump overturned the ICE suspension of traffic stops. Trump is actually pushing these confrontations.
What is the Pope’s response to this errant Bishop? Where are the members of the diocese? Why aren’t they VIGOROUSLY and LOUDLY protesting in front of the Bishop’s residence? I’m disgusted by the Catholic Hierarchy who are complicit in the killings of innocent people by either no response or a tepid one. These incidents prove once more that I was correct in leaving the Catholic Church.
When half the catholics are told by their priests that if they vote for Biden they'll go to Hell (because they kill babies); what else can you expect?
When the Bishop in Tyler, Texas was finally removed, half the congregation protested. (Those were the maga catholics...you know the ones who believe like Vance that one only has to love and help one's family.) smh
Florida a man was struck by a semi truck fleeing ICE
Juan Jairo Coronilla Duran, from Guanajuato, México. 28 years old
His wife, Yésica Alamilla López, said Coronilla Duran was a father of two who arrived in the United States three weeks ago to work. She said he entered with a tourist visa.
Last week 3 men were killed .
These are only the ones we know of, that had witnesses...how many people have died in magas' concentration camps?
What is it about us that despite our immigrant descent, too many of us feel entitled to treat newer immigrants with contempt and disrespect? Would Jesus have done this?
MAGAs seem to believe in the birth and the death/and arising from the dead. They do not subscribe to any of His teachings, or the 10 Commandments. They know better than God, and they traded Jesus for the felon. ;( They claim empathy is one of the worst characteristics that one can demonstrate. They do not believe in loving and helping everyone. The ones I know personally are very prejudiced against Hispanics and Blacks, and it wouldn't hurt their feelings if all the people of color left the country...unless they are one of the "good ones that know their place". Yes, I've heard this statement way too frequently in east Texas, by residents. It's so not catholic of them, isn't it? :(
No, it’s not, and my parents taught us to not indulge in prejudicial assumptions and to treat all adults and children with courtesy. Unfortunately, a lot of white Catholics (Steve Scalise comes to mind) adopt the prejudices as their other white neighbors. My faith did not allow me to support someone like Trump, and none of my family can tolerate him. My dad especially detested Trump and one of my brothers waxes eloquently on his detestation.