Chicago: Ash Wednesday marked in ICE detention centre. Cardinal leads open-air Mass and procession

Cardinal Blaise Cupich - screenshot

Source: CSPL, Diocese of Chicago

On Ash Wednesday - after months of trying - a group of religious and clergy were finally given a temporary injunction to visit the Broadview ICE 'processing centre' for migrants on the outskirts of Chicago. They gave Communion and distributed ashes to those inside. That evening, more than 3,500 people attended a Mass outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago, presided over by Cardinal Blaise Cupich.

The Cardinal said: "This is a day that speaks to those who live in the shadows. Our immigrant friends know the fear of the knock at the door or the traffic stop. God does not need papers to know where you are or who you are - when you cry alone, he sees you."

After receiving Ashes at the Mass, there was a prayerful procession around the Melrose Park neighbourhood.

In their statement, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership said: "It was a moment of remembrance and repentance: remembering who we are as the church and who built our church's legacy of solidarity and action for justice, and repenting for systemic sin and systemic evil.

"Our Mass and procession served as a public statement to our communities that we will stand with all who are facing daily violence at the hands of the systemic evil of ICE, CBP, and DHS. We reaffirmed our commitment to stay in action until this system has been transformed and all are welcome and safe in our communities.

"We are grateful to Cardinal Blaise Cupich for serving as the main celebrant at this Mass and demonstrating his commitment to making the Church in Chicago a church of immigrants and for immigrants. We are also grateful to each of the 3,500 people who showed up in faith and solidarity."

Eight in 10 migrants arrested in the immigration crackdown across America are Christian, the majority of them Catholic, according to a joint Catholic-evangelical report published by World Relief. The report found 18% of Catholics are either vulnerable to deportation or live with someone who is.

LINKS

Watch the ABC video of the visit to the Broadview ICE facility and the Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsCA9MShJR8

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership: www.csplaction.org/