ICE has crossed many lines since its raids began in Illinois. Now, locals are adding church-centered attacks to their reign of terror. A video of a Chicago church trying to offer communion to detainees has gone viral, and not because of the kindness of the clergy. Rather than gaining support and protection from authorities, the Catholic church’s efforts were shut down by ICE.
The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership is a grassroots campaign founded on Catholic and Christian beliefs. In a video posted by @johnnypalmdessa, the church’s ministry tries to provide communion to detainees held at a Chicago detention center. The video shows many followers in the background holding signs of encouragement and faith, while ICE patrols the crowd.
As the camera pans, it shows police and ICE agents barricading the path to the detention center. They turn the clergy away, refusing to let anyone pass or allow visitors. The entire time, church members in the crowd continue to sing songs of hope, but to no avail. Now, viewers of the video say Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, is to blame for ICE’s behavior.
“Catholicism is the most common religion for the Hispanic/Latino immigrants, so communion is very important to them. So denying them this is a violation of their First Amendment rights,” said one TikTok user. Another commenter jumped in, saying, “I’m agnostic, but I understand the significance of this for practicing Catholics. And let me put it this way–death row inmates and the most VILE of prison offenders get religious rights. ICE is 10000% hiding how bad and inhumane the conditions are by not letting them in for Communion.”
Some commented on its legality and pointed out the irony of denying people the body of Christ. “Oh, so NOW they want separation of church and state?” Said one viewer. “Wow, what a great ‘Christian administration,'” said another. “Denying communion. Pope Leo will not be happy about this.” One user posted a quote that perfectly sums up the situation:“‘The church should not be silent.’ – Pope Leo XIV.”
