San Bernardino Diocese Bishop Alberto Rojas has issued a decree exempting the obligation for faithful Catholics in the diocese from their weekly Sunday Mass obligation, amid growing immigration activity in the region.

“All members of the faithful who, due to genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions, are unable to attend Sunday Mass or Masses on holy days of obligation are dispensed from this obligation,” the Bishop stated in a letter released Tuesday, July 8.

Officials from the Diocese of Orange said Wednesday that there is no dispensation being offered to Orange County Catholics, but that the diocese “remains deeply committed to supporting our Catholic community during this heightened concern surrounding immigration enforcement actions.”  Officials from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The sprawling San Bernardino diocese, which consists of 92 parishes and 12 missions across both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, has seen reports of immigration activity as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign targeting undocumented immigrants. Officials said that ICE agents were reported at two Catholic parishes in Montclair and Highland on June 20.

That afternoon, ICE detained multiple people in the parking lot of St. Adelaide Church, in Highland, who were neither employees of the parish nor parishioners, said John Andrews, director of communications for the Diocese of San Bernardino. Agents also took one male parishioner into custody at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montclair the same day, Andrews said.

As of Wednesday, July 9, there has been no other ICE activity at churches “that the Diocese is aware of,” Andrews said. He noted that Rojas’ decree was “definitely the first dispensation that is immigration-related.”

In his decree, Rojas cited “pastoral needs of our diocese” and “concerns expressed by many of our brothers and sisters regarding fears of attending Mass due to potential immigration enforcement actions by civil authorities.”

The decree acknowledges that this fear “constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful.” Under Catholic Canon Law, a bishop is able to excuse churchgoers from attending Sunday Masses and holy days of obligation. It allows people to be exempt from going to church and receiving holy communion until the decree is revoked or amended.

The Bishop also encouraged the faithful to practice alternative spiritual practices to “maintain their spiritual communion with Christ.” Examples include Scripture readings, personal prayer, rosary devotions, and participating in televised or livestreamed church Masses.

“In issuing this decree, I am guided by the Church’s mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all entrusted to my care. particularly those who face fear or hardship,” Rojas said. “I entrust this diocese to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and invoke God’s blessing upon all the faithful.”

The Diocese of San Bernardino offers immigration resources for communities, including “Know Your Rights” workshops and handouts, recommendations for parishes should ICE agents show up, and partnerships with immigrants-rights coalitions. For more information: www.sbdiocese.org/about/immigration.cfm

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.