Catholic bishops from across California gathered at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center on December 10, 2023, to hold a Mass for approximately 300 detainees. This event aimed to provide spiritual support and remind those incarcerated that they are not forgotten. Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose emphasized the significance of the gathering, stating, “Each one of us represents hundreds of thousands of parishioners who are praying for them.”
The Adelanto facility has drawn considerable criticism from various watchdog groups and congressional members due to reports of abuse and neglect. At least two deaths have been documented this year in the center, raising serious concerns about the conditions faced by detainees. As of early November, the number of individuals held at the ICE facility had risen to approximately 1,700, reflecting ongoing enforcement of stringent immigration policies under the Trump administration.
A group consisting of seven bishops, three priests, and three deacons, dressed in off-white garments, was escorted into an outdoor recreation area by employees of GEO Group, the private company that operates the detention center. Upon their arrival, the religious leaders received a warm welcome from the detainees, which deeply moved Bishop Cantú. He noted the applause served as a powerful reminder that the detainees felt supported and acknowledged.
During the Mass, many detainees received Communion, and several were observed kneeling in private prayer along the gravel path. As Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino remarked, the physical barriers prevented deeper interaction, yet the emotional connection remained palpable.
Organized by the California Catholic Conference, this Mass marked the largest religious gathering at the detention center since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Auxiliary Bishop Brian Nunes from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles expressed the profound impact of witnessing each individual receive Communion. He highlighted the importance of seeing detainees as unique individuals rather than a faceless category, stating, “To see their face, to see how they were impacted, it was very powerful for me.”
The bishops plan to extend their outreach by visiting additional ICE detention centers throughout California in the upcoming year, aiming to provide pastoral support to more detainees. This initiative reflects a concerted effort by religious leaders to advocate for the well-being and dignity of those affected by current immigration policies.
