Archbishop José H. Gomez called for peace and unity during a midday Mass celebrated Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, urging the faithful to come together in prayer amid ongoing unrest.
“Today we are united with parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in praying for peace in our streets and in our city,” Gomez said during his homily. “We are facing a challenging moment in our city and many of our neighbors are frightened.”
Gomez said prayers were offered for struggling community members, law enforcement officers who risk their lives for public safety and the civic leaders tasked with guiding the city forward.
He declared June 11 a day of prayer for peace and unity throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Parishes were invited to continue praying in the days that follow, with special intentions offered during daily Mass and other observances.
In a previous statement, Gomez called for “restraint and calm” as tensions escalated over the weekend following protests sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.
“We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities,” Gomez said. “But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.”
He urged lawmakers to take meaningful action on immigration reform and address the systemic issues that drive people to enter the country unlawfully.