At a recent gathering in St. Paul, Minnesota, Catholic leaders addressed the tension surrounding local immigration enforcement, calling for a shift from hostility to reconciliation. The "Votive Mass of Solidarity with Migrants" was held on Feb. 27, 2026, at the University of St. Thomas, concluding "The Way Forward" conference.
A Call to Reconciliation
Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis led the liturgy alongside Cardinals Christophe Pierre, Robert W. McElroy, and Joseph W. Tobin. The Mass served as a direct spiritual response to Operation Metro Surge, a massive federal immigration enforcement effort that resulted in over 4,000 arrests in the Twin Cities and sparked widespread protests.
In an intimate homily, Archbishop Hebda confessed to his own struggles with the current atmosphere:
“I’ve been angry a lot in these recent weeks. I’ve been angry when our brothers and sisters have been intimidated to the point that they’re afraid to come to Mass, or to go to work, or to the doctor, or to take their children to school. … And I’ve been angry when I’ve felt helpless or unable to find the right words or the way forward to stop the madness unfolding before my eyes.”
He reminded the congregation that Jesus warns against nursing such anger, noting that Christ “gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” To move forward, Hebda argued, the faithful must work “actively and intentionally for unity.”
Finding "Compunction of the Heart"
Citing Pope Francis, the Archbishop spoke on the necessity of "compunction," or a deep, prayerful sorrow that bridges the gap between people.
On Shared Humanity: “Those who feel the compunction of the heart increasingly feel themselves brothers and sisters to all the sinners of the world.”
On Solidarity: “The sense of solidarity born of compunction … also enables reconciliation to take place.”
The Church as a "Field Hospital"
During a press conference following the Mass, the prelates expanded on the Church's role in a fractured society. Cardinal Robert W. McElroy invoked a well-known papal metaphor, describing the Church as a "field hospital" where “everyone is wounded and everyone needs healing.”
He emphasized that this healing must extend to all sides of the conflict:
“We all stand in solidarity... Everyone in this community went through a tough time. We all need to engage in healing and reconciliation.”
Addressing Political Criticism
When questioned about the Church's involvement in political matters, the leaders were candid:
On Divine Loyalty: Cardinal Tobin asked, “To whom do we owe our ultimate loyalty, our ultimate obedience? The First Commandment tells us who: It says no false gods in front of you. You listen to the Lord your God.”
On Human Dignity: Cardinal McElroy clarified the Church’s stance on borders, noting that while they support a nation’s right to deport those convicted of violent crimes, the "siege" on Minneapolis was different. Mass deportation of long-term residents and children is, he stated, “contrary to Catholic faith, and more fundamentally contrary to basic human dignity.”
On Faith and Society: Cardinal Pierre rejected the idea that religion should stay out of public life, calling it a “false alternative.” He noted, “When the Church speaks, we speak about the same people. … We should educate ourselves, and the recipe is to listen to each other and not accuse.”
Archbishop Hebda concluded with a plea for the community to cultivate kindness across all platforms—from social media to political debates—so that “words of hatred will give way to words of hope and heavenly peace.”
https://www.osvnews.com/church-leaders-call-for-healing-reconciliation-at-mass-of-solidarity-with-migrants-in-minneapolis/
Image Facebook: photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit: In the image - Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis at the end of the Votive Mass of Solidarity with Migrants Feb. 27, 2026, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Together with, from left, Jesuit Father Christopher Collins, outgoing vice president for mission of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul; Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington; Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States; and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J.
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