Because of tax regulations on churches in America, priests sometimes cross a line when they get up and share their political opinions. Especially from the pulpit, priests are generally considered prohibited from endorsing specific parties before an entire congregation. So, it came as a surprise when one Catholic priest in Oregon shared their support for ICE’s heightened presence in the US. It was especially shocking to her because her religion always taught her to love everyone.
TikToker Xivendetta415, Indiana, shared a video of herself expressing serious concerns with another person. They both had just walked out of Sunday morning Mass. Indiana’s friend could be heard saying the priest was giving his “political opinion,” to the point that she felt calling the Archdiocese was the next course of action.
According to Indiana, the priest said, “It’s totally okay that ICE is coming because you guys are all MS-13.” And he said this to everyone attending Spanish Mass, mind you.
The priest went on to tell the congregation there’s a “proper way” to come to America. In response, Indiana says, “Yeah, if there was a proper way, we would do it.” Becoming a legal immigrant in the United States is notoriously difficult.
The other woman inside the car tells Indiana, “Don’t go back there, ever.” Indiana vehemently agrees. Many in the comments were feeling strong emotions, too.
One commenter mentioned, “Pope Leo is literally defrocking people for doing things like this. Please contact your bishop or seek someone of higher rank.” That’s what contacting the Archdiocese would set in motion, for sure. Others suggested calling the IRS, since the priest’s opinions could affect the church’s tax status.
Another commenter shared, “I stopped going to mass November 2016. When the deacon in a SPANISH mass said ‘as Catholics we should be voting for Trump, since we are pro life.’ And that was enough of that.”
One other commenter said what so many others are likely thinking: “Jesus would’ve stood with you.”
What you see here is two Catholics doing the right thing. You don’t have to be Catholic to see that. It doesn’t matter where you fall on the political spectrum: a priest allegedly saying anyone Hispanic is automatically MS-13 is both cruel and racist.
