Catholic communities across Minnesota have spoken out forcefully against what they describe as intimidation and injustice linked to an intensifying immigration crackdown, following the fatal shooting of a man during a federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Vigils, Masses, and prayer services were held across the Twin Cities as worshippers expressed grief, anger, and resolve in the wake of recent killings involving immigration agents. At an outdoor vigil honoring Alex Pretti, who was shot earlier the same day, participants called on Church leaders and faithful alike to confront what they see as cruelty and fear targeting immigrant families. For many Catholics gathered in prayer, the moment was described as a moral reckoning, with faith demanding public witness and active resistance to policies that undermine human dignity and create widespread fear within local communities.
In parishes near the site of the shooting, parishioners shared how the immigration crackdown has reshaped daily life, particularly for families with children. At one Catholic school serving a largely immigrant population, leaders said parents have been detained or deported, children have been kept indoors for weeks, and families live under constant surveillance and anxiety. Reports of drones near homes and nighttime arrests have deepened fear, forcing schools and parishes to adopt extraordinary measures to protect students and families. Clergy and lay leaders emphasized that the Church cannot remain silent when people are afraid to attend school, worship freely, or leave their homes for basic necessities. They described ongoing efforts to provide transportation, food deliveries, housing assistance, and legal referrals as expressions of faith in action rather than political protest.
Across the Twin Cities, Catholics gathered for Masses dedicated to peace, remembrance, and solidarity, affirming that immigration status does not diminish a person’s worth. Homilies and prayers highlighted the responsibility of believers to stand alongside the vulnerable, even when doing so carries personal risk. Parishioners described organizing grocery deliveries, monitoring neighborhoods, and opening church spaces to families who feel unsafe, insisting that fear must not be allowed to define community life. Candlelight services and blessings were offered as symbols of hope amid grief, urging believers to carry light into places marked by violence and uncertainty. As enforcement actions continue, Catholic leaders and lay faithful alike said they remain committed to defending human dignity, convinced that faith requires both compassion and courage in times of crisis.
