05/31/2026
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A Message from Our Bishop — Standing with Our Sisters and Brothers at Delaney Hall
Dear Parish Community and Friends of St. Francis of Assisi Parish,
As a community rooted in the life and witness of the Poor Man of Assisi, we believe, without reservation, that every human person bears the image and likeness of God. Imago Dei. This is not a political slogan. It is the bedrock of our faith, the cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching, and the reason we cannot remain silent.
This afternoon, after Mass and reading the powerful letter written by the Detainee's, Bishop George and Deacon Mary went to Delaney Hall to be present, to witness, to pray, and to speak. In the spirit of the Gospel, Bishop George addressed several news outlets, sharing the Church's unwavering conviction that human dignity is not conditional. It is not granted by governments. It is not revoked by borders. It is written into every soul by God Himself.
Bishop George also spoke with the New Jersey State Police, who had been deployed to maintain a safe space for peaceful protest. He reiterated the concerns expressed in the letter read out at Mass today written by the Detainee’s to the protesters asking them and us to not give up. Most importantly we carried a message directly to the protesters from the detainees inside: they are asking us not to give up. (The detainee’s letter is attached below.)
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40
The Church has always held that the right to life, to family unity, to just treatment under law, and to basic human dignity are not privileges, they are rights that flow from our very creation. When those rights are threatened, the Gospel calls us to speak. And to act.
Our Social Concerns Committee, led by the tireless dedication of Jim and so many of you, continues to be the living hands and voice of this parish in the public square. We are grateful. We are called. And we will not be silent.
Here is how you can continue to advocate:
Continue to pray for all those detained and their families.
Write to your elected representatives demanding humane treatment and due process.
Show up peacefully. Your presence matters.
Share this post and amplify the voices of those who cannot speak freely.
Contact the parish office at [email protected] or by phone at 866-814-5456to get involved with our Social Concerns Committee.
The detainees know people are fighting for them. Let us make sure they continue to know that, by refusing to look away, by holding fast to our faith, and by treating every person we encounter as the sacred image of God they are.
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In the peace of Christ and the spirit of St. Francis,
+Bishop George�St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Parish
