Catholic bishops call for prayer following deadly immigration raids in the US

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called on Catholic communities across the country to unite in prayer after a series of deadly incidents involving immigration enforcement officers intensified national debate over U.S. deportation policy.

Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley, who was elected to lead the bishops’ conference in November, urged dioceses to hold a Holy Hour dedicated to peace, justice and healing. His appeal comes after the fatal shootings of two people during an immigration operation in Minneapolis, as well as the death of a detained man in Texas, cases that have drawn scrutiny to the methods used by the Department of Homeland Security.

Growing concern among Catholic leaders

In a statement released Wednesday, Coakley described the recent deaths as evidence of a broader moral failure. He emphasized that violence linked to law enforcement actions reflects a disregard for the dignity of human life and called on the faithful to respond through prayer and reflection rather than fear or division.

The Holy Hour he proposed typically involves prayer before the Eucharist, which Catholics believe represents the real presence of Christ. Coakley encouraged participation both in parish settings and through private prayer, asking believers to seek reconciliation, justice and comfort for those affected by loss and uncertainty.

His remarks marked his strongest public response so far to the current administration’s immigration agenda and suggested unease among church leaders about both policy direction and enforcement tactics. In recent days, senior Catholic figures in Los Angeles and Minneapolis have also voiced criticism of the current approach.

Faith, law and public life

Although often regarded as a conservative voice within the conference, Coakley stressed that respecting the law must be balanced with compassion and mercy. He praised efforts by faith communities and civic groups to promote peace through service, dialogue and nonviolent action, arguing that these efforts are more constructive than rhetoric fueled by anger or despair.

Earlier this month, Coakley met with President Donald Trump, a rare meeting between a sitting president and a USCCB leader. Shortly afterward, the administration proposed changes to visa rules affecting foreign priests and religious workers, adding to tensions between church leadership and federal policymakers.

Calls for immigration reform

Other Catholic leaders have focused more directly on legislative solutions. Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez recently urged Congress to advance bipartisan immigration reform, pointing to the Dignity Act as a possible starting point. He argued that undocumented immigrants should not be treated as people without rights and warned against enforcement practices that separate families or target those who contribute positively to society.

The proposed legislation would combine stricter border management with faster asylum processing and a pathway to legal status for certain long-term residents who meet specific conditions. While acknowledging flaws in the bill, Gomez described it as a necessary first step toward addressing a broken system.

Diverging responses within the Church

Across the country, bishops have responded to immigration challenges based on the realities of their own dioceses. Some have sharply criticized federal enforcement agencies, while others have focused on protecting specific communities, such as Haitian migrants facing the potential loss of Temporary Protected Status.

So far, the bishops’ collective response has been fragmented, with varying tones and priorities. Coakley’s call for a nationwide Holy Hour represents one of the few coordinated actions proposed at the national level. He expressed hope that shared prayer would help renew both the Church and the country, fostering a deeper commitment to peace and respect for every person’s inherent dignity.

By inviting Catholics to place their fears and hopes before God, Coakley framed the moment as not only a political or social crisis, but also a spiritual one—calling believers to act as witnesses to compassion in a deeply polarized climate.