Catholic diocese sues US government seeking clergy access to detainees
The archdiocese says about 150 immigration detainees are being denied private confessions and communion, and seeks clergy access equal to lawyers and consular officials.
- The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday, alleging immigration detainees in Missouri are denied private access to priests and sacraments like confession and communion.
- Clergy can only visit detainees at the Saint Genevieve County Jail during a four-hour window on Mondays through a glass partition via telephone handset, contradicting ICE policy allowing clergy visits at any time with notification.
- St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski said the lack of privacy prevents priests from carrying out ministering duties. "They cannot hear confessions, they cannot celebrate Mass, they cannot give the anointing of the sick," he said.
- The archdiocese is requesting court intervention to grant clergy the same visitation access provided to attorneys and consular officials at the jail facility.
- Detainees are part of a broad immigration crackdown by President Trump, and the lawsuit contends ICE is failing to enforce its own guidelines, though the agency has denied widespread rights abuses allegations.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Archdiocese sues US government over denied Catholic sacraments for ICE detainees
According to the website of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, religious figures may visit detainees at any time after giving notice to the sheriff’s office. The lawsuit contends that ICE is failing to enforce its own guidelines
Catholic diocese sues US government seeking clergy access to detainees
The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday, alleging that detainees at an immigration detention facility in Missouri are being deprived of their right to speak privately with priests or receive sacraments like communion and confession.
Archdiocese of St. Louis challenges judicially policies that prevent priests from administering sacraments to immigration detainees after suggesting that they give communion by guards.
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