It’s Time we Talk Immigration…
And yes, our American episcopacy—the “noble” successors to the Apostles, standing bravely in the breach… unless, of course, ICE is in town, in which case, sorry folks, Mass is canceled. That’s not satire. That’s the brave Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino, who—like a true spiritual father—shut the doors to the Holy Sacrifice because his flock might have to encounter… law enforcement and Jorge might have to answer some questions about his overstayed visa.
If the Early Church had this kind of leadership, Peter would’ve canceled Pentecost because the Romans were "patrolling the area."
Let’s be honest: today’s felt-banner fueled boomer bishops aren’t successors of the Apostles. They’re the spiritual interns of the DNC. You can spot their theological fingerprints from a mile away: a “Refugees Welcome” or “Bienvanidos Migrantes!” banner duct-taped to the ambo and a Gloria set to the tune of a Hillsong B-side. It’s not just cringe—it’s taxpayer-subsidized apostasy.
These bishops don’t preach the Gospel. They perform it. Badly. Like off-Broadway community theater in polyester vestments, funded by Federal Emergency Migration Grants and choreographed by Sister Mary Tambourine of the Order of Social Justice Awareness.
Glory and Praise Be to… Homeland Security?
Somewhere, a Felt Banner Fueled Boomer Bishop clutches his felt stole and weeps with joy every time a border is breached. And why wouldn’t he? Uncle Sam will be wiring Catholic Charities millions in grants annually for "refugee resettlement"—which is episcopal code for “we’ll handle your illegal immigration crisis if the check clears.” 1.2 Billion in 2022 alone.
These aren't shepherds. They’re NGO managers in miters. Their true parishioners aren’t the lay faithful; they’re congressional appropriations committees.
So when the Bishop Rojas of San Bernardino gave dispensation regarding Mass because ICE might show up, it wasn’t fear. It was branding. It was a virtue signal, a donation magnet, a press release wrapped in his patchouli smelling polyester chasuble and sprinkled with fair-trade holy water.
Canon Law? That’s Just for Latin Mass Enthusiasts
Of course, when you bring up Canon Law, the Catechism, or—God forbid—Romans 13, these bishops react like you just asked them to recite the Nicene Creed without inclusive language.
Canon 223 §2: “Ecclesiastical authority can regulate, in view of the common good, the exercise of the rights of the faithful.”
But enforcing national laws for the common good? Too fascist. Not enough “Spirit of Vatican II.”
CCC 2241: “More prosperous nations are obliged... to welcome the foreigner.”
Boomer Bishop: “See?! Jesus was a refugee!”
CCC 2241 (continued): “…provided the public authority determines it aligns with the common good.”
Boomer Bishop: “Whoops. Didn’t read that far. Our bad. Let’s schedule a drumming circle and reimagine our missional horizons.” Warm up cantor Maureen to sing “Table of Plenty.”
And, then following the drumming circle, Boomer Bishop would spontaneously combust upon reading this hidden gem:
CCC 2241 (continued): “Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.”
You mean the immigrant is supposed to put down their flag of origin, take up the American Flag through assimilation, stay off welfare and pay taxes? That’s positively colonialist of you!
The Gospel of Borderless Bureaucracy
It’s not that these bishops misunderstand Church teaching—they just choose to excerpt it like a Buzzfeed listicle, deleting every clause that smells like natural law or prudential governance.
Meanwhile, St. Thomas Aquinas—who, unlike Bishop Netflix-and-Synod—actually thought for a living—wrote:
Summa Theologiae I-II, q. 96, a. 4: “Human law binds a man in conscience… provided it is just and for the common good.”
A border that stops fentanyl, child trafficking, and cartel violence? That’s not cruelty. That’s justice.
But no, according to Felticus Maximus in the USCCB, ICE is the new Roman Empire, and every illegal alien is the Christ Child. Because nothing says “authentic Catholic teaching” like chanting “All Are Welcome” while waving rainbow streamers at the border wall.
Liturgical Clown Shows and the Theology of Confetti
Let’s not kid ourselves: the felt banner fueled boomer bishop doesn’t care about doctrine. He cares about optics. The theology is whatever fits on a tote bag or can be set to a Hillsong bridge:
“You were the Word at the beginning… You have no rival…”
(Unless that rival is a nation-state trying to enforce visa law, in which case, you bigot.)
Ask them about the Eucharist and they’ll quote Fr. James Martin. Ask them about immigration enforcement and they’ll quote… AOC. Ask them about mortal sin, and they’ll suddenly remember they left their homily notes in the Prius right next to their brand new “CoExist” Bumper Sticker.
The False Mercy of The Boomer Bishop
But the Boomer Bishops drone on: “Jesus was a refugee!”
No.
He.
Wasn’t.
The Holy Family went to Egypt within the Roman Empire under legal protection. They didn’t sneak in under cover of night hoping to avoid Herod’s border patrol while texting coyotes.
Their idea of mercy is a kind of moral cosplay—pretending that illegal immigration is the modern Good Samaritan story. In reality, it’s enabling lawlessness, undermining just governance, and inviting human misery in the name of virtue signaling.
True mercy is grounded in truth. And the truth is that aiding and abetting illegal entry into a sovereign nation—especially for personal, political, or ecclesial clout—is not heroic. It’s negligent.
What About “Welcoming the Stranger”?
Catholics are absolutely called to welcome the stranger. That’s not up for debate. But welcoming is not the same as aiding and abetting criminal activity. That’s not mercy. That’s material cooperation with sin.
CCC 1868:
“Sin is a personal act. But we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: by participating directly and voluntarily, by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them.”
So when you openly encourage mass illegal immigration and use the pulpit to denounce ICE while singing “Gather us In” off-key, you are not participating in the Gospel. You’re participating in the problem. ”Welcome” does not mean “erase your borders, empty your prisons, and hand out EBT cards like sacraments.” It means treating immigrants with dignity within the bounds of law and justice.
Want to help migrants? Fund legal aid. Lobby for humane, ordered immigration reform. Support Catholic missions in their countries of origin. Just don’t pretend that violating U.S. law is some form of martyrdom.
Boomers, Banners, and Bishops Who Forgot the Basics
So to our dear felt-banner fueled boomer bishops—yes, you, with the wrinkled polyester chasuble in “liturgical avocado” and a felt stole handcrafted by the ladies’ liturgy circle in 1974 with the “Coexist” and “Love Conquers All” bumper stickers on your diocesan Prius—perhaps it's time to close the Vatican II time capsule, dust off a copy of Rerum Novarum, and start preaching the full Gospel again. You know, the one that includes law, order, virtue, and yes, borders.
Because Catholicism isn’t a hippy commune. It’s the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. And Jesus didn’t die on the Cross so you could turn His Bride into a sanctuary city with incense.
Until the shepherds remember that, the wolves will keep coming—through open borders, with diocesan approval, and singing Gather Us In as the flock is devoured.