May 12, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are watching with great interest and with prayers this week as federal immigration policy changes for those seeking to enter our country and receive political asylum. Our current president, Joe Biden, and the previous president, Donald Trump, had used Title 42 for the last three years to limit entry into the country based on the health threat that COVID-19 posed. As the pandemic has receded that policy is ending, leading to a lot of speculation and worry about what will happen at the border. Let us keep in our prayers these brothers and sisters who are fleeing unimaginable situations in their home countries to seek survival and a better life for themselves and their children. Let us also pray for all of those at the different
levels of law enforcement who will attempt to manage the influx of desperate human beings while maintaining safety and order. It is a very difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be this way. View PDF: Bilingual

The policy enacted by the Biden Administration to replace Title 42 appears to have some improvements but also some continued areas of concern as it relates to acknowledging the human dignity and human rights of our immigrant brothers and sisters. More troublesome is the recently proposed “Secure the Border Act of 2023” that would remove many important humanitarian protections in our immigration laws, putting unaccompanied children and other vulnerable populations in grave danger. I urge Catholics and all people of goodwill to ask their elected representative to oppose this bill – H.R. 2.

In the big picture, using piecemeal bills and policies like these is like trying to treat a serious fracture with a bandage. A more substantial and lasting change in policy is needed to bring healing. My brother bishops of the United States and I have long called for what we call Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). The basic tenets of CIR espoused by our U.S. Church are:

•A broad-based legalization (permanent residency) of the undocumented of all nationalities
•Reform of our family-based immigration system to allow family members to reunite with loved ones
in the United States
•Reform of the employment-based immigration system to provide legal pathways for migrants to come and work in a safe, humane, and orderly manner
•Abandonment of the border “blockade” enforcement strategy.
•Restoration of due process protections for immigrants.
•Addressing the root causes of migration with the governments of countries of origin

These ideas are not new. They first surfaced in “Strangers No Longer,” the 2003 Pastoral Letter of the U.S. Bishops and the Episcopal Conference of Mexico. Over these past 20 years much work has been done by our Church to advocate for CIR amongst our federal elected leaders. Our Diocese, under the leadership of Bishop Barnes when he chaired the U.S. Bishop’s Committee on Migration and Refugee Services, was a big part of that. “Strangers No Longer” and subsequent Church statements make clear that we are not advocating for open borders and that we respect the right of a sovereign nation to secure its borders. The reality is that if comprehensive immigration reform is enacted the enforcement of the law at the border will become easier and more effective.

Because of our proximity to the southern border, our Diocese has and continues to experience the human realities of the immigration crisis. Through our “Operation Bienvenida” ministry we have received thousands of people seeking asylum in the United States, and we have interacted with government entities like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the California Border Patrol to align our work where it is most needed. We know that the system is broken and needs reform. We continue to advocate passionately for comprehensive reform because we know that lives are literally hanging in the balance. To us, this is not about quotas, or petitions or bills; it is about human beings who are created in the image and likeness of God, just the same as you and I.

So, as we watch this latest patchwork attempt to fix our immigration system, let us raise our voices once again in support of a broader and more lasting solution – comprehensive immigration reform. Only then will the true healing begin.

In Christ’s Love,
Bishop Alberto Rojas

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,

Esta semana observamos con gran interés y con oraciones mientras cambia la póliza federal de inmigración para aquellos que están entrando a nuestro país y buscan asilo político. Nuestro presidente actual, Joe Biden, y el expresidente, Donald Trump, habían implementado el Título 42 en los últimos tres años para limitar la entrada al país basado en la amenaza de salud que presentaba el COVID-19. Ahora que la pandemia ha disminuido esta póliza está concluyendo, llevando a mucha especulación y preocupación sobre lo que va a pasar en la frontera. Tengamos en nuestras oraciones a estos hermanos y
hermanas que están huyendo de situaciones impensables en sus países de origen para poder sobrevivir y tener una vida mejor para ellos y sus hijos. También oremos por aquellos en los diferentes niveles de las fuerzas del orden que intentarán manejar el flujo de seres humanos desesperados mientras también mantienen la seguridad y el orden. Es una tarea muy difícil, pero no tiene que ser así.

La póliza aprobada por la Administración de Biden para reemplazar el Título 42 parece tener algunas mejoras, pero también algunas áreas que siguen siendo preocupantes en cuanto el reconocimiento de la dignidad y los derechos humanos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes. Más preocupante es la propuesta reciente de la “Ley para Asegurar la Frontera de 2023 (Secure the Border Act of 2023)” que eliminaría muchas protecciones humanitarias en nuestras leyes de inmigración, poniendo en grave peligro a muchos niños no acompañados y a otras poblaciones vulnerables. Exhorto a todos los Católicos y a todas las personas de buena voluntad que les pidan a sus representantes elegidos a que se opongan a
la propuesta de ley-H.R.2.

En el panorama general, usando propuestas de ley y pólizas fragmentadas como estas es como tratar una fractura seria con una venda pequeña. Lo que es necesario para traer sanación es un cambio sustancial y duradero en la póliza. Mis hermanos obispos de los Estados Unidos y yo hemos pedido lo que llamamos una Reforma Migratoria Comprensiva (CIR por sus siglas en inglés). Los principios básicos de CIR que propone nuestra iglesia en los Estados Unidos son:

•Una legalización amplia (residencia permanente) de los indocumentados de todas las nacionalidades
•Reforma al sistema de inmigración familiar para permitir que los miembros de familia se reúnen con sus seresqueridos en los Estados Unidos
•Reforma del sistema de inmigración para empleados para proveer caminos legales para que los migrantes vengany trabajen de manera segura, humana y ordenada
•Abandonar la estrategia de control de crear un “bloqueo” en la frontera
•Restaurar las protecciones del proceso debido para los inmigrantes
•Abordar las causas profundas de la migración con los gobiernos de los países de origen

Estas ideas no son nuevas. Surgieron primero en “Ya no Somos Extranjeros”” la Carta Pastoral de los Obispos de los Estados Unidos y la Conferencia Episcopal de México en el 2003. En los últimos 20 años nuestra iglesia ha trabajado muchopara abogar por la CIR con nuestros líderes elegidos a nivel federal. Nuestra Diócesis, bajo el liderazgo del Obispo Barnescuando él fue el presidente del Comité de Migración y Servicios para los Refugiados de los Obispos de los Estados Unidos,participó de gran manera en este trabajo. “Ya no Somos Extranjeros” y otras declaraciones eclesiales posteriores dejanclaro que no estamos abogando por fronteras abiertas y que respetamos el derecho de cada nación soberana de asegurarsus fronteras. La realidad es que si se promulga una reforma migratoria comprensiva la aplicación de la ley en la fronterase volverá más fácil y efectiva.

Por nuestra cercanía a la frontera del sur, nuestra Diócesis ha tenido y continúa teniendo la experiencia de las realidadeshumanas de la crisis migratoria. Por medio del ministerio “Operación Bienvenida” hemos recibido miles de personas quebuscan asilo en los Estados Unidos, y hemos trabajado con entidades como el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de losEstados Unidos y la patrulla fronteriza de California para alinear nuestro trabajo donde más se necesita. Sabemos que elsistema está roto y necesita reforma. Seguimos abogando apasionadamente para la reforma comprensiva porque sabemos que hay vidas que literalmente penden de un hilo. Para nosotros, esto no se trata de cuotas, o peticiones o proyectos de ley;
se trata de seres humanos que están creados a imagen y semejanza de Dios, igual que tú y yo.

Así es que mientras vemos este esfuerzo fragmentado de reparar nuestro sistema migratorio, levantemos nuestras voces una vez más para apoyar una solución más amplia y duradera-una reforma migratoria comprensiva. Solo entonces podrá comenzar la sanación verdadera.

En el Amor de Cristo,
Reverendísimo Alberto Rojas

DECREE

Dear Friends,

Peace and wellbeing to you and your families. I hope the Lenten Season has been
spiritually enriching to you. View PDF: English

This year, the Memorial of St. Patrick falls on Friday, March 17, 2023, the Third
Week on Lent. This is a well-known celebration for many Catholics. The law of
abstinence binds those Catholics who have completed 14 years of age (Canon
1252). But in these cases, the local bishop can make an exception.

I therefore decree that on Friday, March 17, 2023, those Catholics of the Diocese
of San Bernardino who would like to celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick, no
matter where they may be, and all other Catholics actually present in the Diocese
of San Bernardino on that day, are dispensed from the obligation to abstain from
meat on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Canon 87 §1).

However, my recommendation for those of you who would like to celebrate the
Memorial of Saint Patrick, you can abstain from eating meat on another day of that
Third Week of Lent as part of your penitential practices.

Given this sixth day of March two thousand twenty-three in the Diocese of San

Bernardino, California.

Most Reverend Alberto Rojas, DD
Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino

February 27, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and well-being to you and your families. As we enter our Lenten journey, when we
acknowledge our sinfulness and unite ourselves to the suffering of our Lord on the cross, I wish
to provide you an update on our ongoing efforts to bring healing and reconciliation to victims of
clergy sexual abuse. View PDF: Bilingual

Many are aware that state law was changed in 2019 to open a three-year window of time in
which those who were abused by clergy in the past could seek compensation from the Church
in the civil courts. That three-year period closed on December 31 of last year and, as of this
writing, our Diocese has been named in more than 130 individual lawsuits. A vast majority of
these lawsuits involve abuses alleged to have occurred more than 30 years ago. We can thank
God that, by acknowledging our past institutional failures and building a strong ministry of child
and youth protection, our churches and schools are now among the safest places for children
and young people in the community.

We have always recognized that part of our commitment to providing healing to those who have
been sexually abused by clergy involves providing them a just level of financial compensation.
To that end, the Diocese has provided victims with more than $25 million in settlement monies
since 2003. We were able to pay for these settlements through a combination of savings and
insurance coverage, with little or no impact to our core ministries. Now, as we prepare our
response to these new lawsuits, we must acknowledge the significant financial impact they
would have on our local Church.

At this time, we continue to evaluate different legal and financial options for resolving these
lawsuits in a manner that meets our commitment to victims and allows us to continue our
ministries in education and formation, youth and young adults, and care for the poor, among
many others. No final decisions have been made, and I pledge to update you as the course of
our response becomes clearer.

I continue to ask God for His guidance and His wisdom in my leadership of our Diocese through
this difficult challenge. I ask for your prayers and for your continued faith in our local Church. Let
us also continue to pray for all victims of abuse and do all we can to show them the healing and
restoring power of God.

We have faced many trials in our history; we have sinned, and we have suffered, and we have
asked publicly for forgiveness. Through it all God has remained with us, calling us to redemption
and renewal in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us together take this long view of the crisis,
knowing that our Holy Mother Church will endure!

Yours in Christ’s Love,
Most Reverend Alberto Rojas

27 de Febrero 2023

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,

Paz y bienestar para ustedes y sus familias. Mientras comenzamos nuestro camino cuaresmal, en que
reconocemos nuestro pecado y nos unimos al sufrimiento de nuestro Señor en la cruz, quiero compartir una actualización de nuestros esfuerzos continuos para traer sanación y reconciliación a las víctimas de abuso sexual por parte del clero.

Muchos saben que la ley estatal cambió en 2019 para abrir una temporada de tres años en que los que fueron abusados por clérigos podrían buscar compensación de la Iglesia en las cortes civiles. Este periodo de tres años se cerró el 31 de diciembre del año pasado y, a partir del momento de este escrito, nuestra Diócesis ha sido nombrada en más de 130 demandas individuales. Una gran mayoría de estas demandas se tratan de abusos que habrían ocurrido hace más de 30 años. Podemos darle gracias a Dios porque, al reconocer nuestros fallos institucionales del pasado y crear un ministerio sólido de protección de niños y jóvenes, nuestras iglesias y escuelas se encuentran ahora entre los lugares más seguros para los niños y jóvenes de nuestra comunidad.

Siempre hemos reconocido que parte de nuestro compromiso de ofrecer sanación a aquellos que han sido abusados sexualmente por el clero conlleva darles un nivel justo de compensación financiera. Con este fin, la Diócesis les ha pagado a las víctimas más de $25 millones en fondos de liquidación desde el 2003. Pudimos pagar estos fondos por medio de una combinación de ahorros y cubertura de seguro, con poco o sin ningún impacto a nuestros ministerios claves. Ahora, mientras preparamos nuestra respuesta a estas nuevas demandas, tenemos que reconocer el impacto financiero significativo que tendrán en nuestra iglesia local.

En este momento, seguimos evaluando diferentes opciones legales y financieras para resolver estas demandas en una manera que cumpla con nuestro compromiso con las víctimas y nos permita continuar con nuestros ministerios en educación y formación, con jóvenes y jóvenes adultos y de cuidado para los pobres, entre muchos más. No se han tomado ningunas decisiones finales, y prometo que les mantendremos informados ya que tengamos más claro el curso de nuestra respuesta.

Sigo pidiéndole a Dios Su guía y Su sabiduría en mi liderazgo de nuestra Diócesis mientras atravesamos este reto difícil. Les pido sus oraciones y que sigan teniendo fe en nuestra Iglesia local. También sigamos orando por todas las víctimas del abuso y hagamos todo lo que podamos para mostrarles el poder sanador y restaurador de Dios.

Hemos enfrentado muchas pruebas en nuestra historia; hemos pecado, y hemos sufrido, y hemos pedido
perdón públicamente. En medio de todo Dios ha permanecido con nosotros, nos ha llamado a la redención y la renovación en su Hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Juntos miremos esta crisis a largo plazo, sabiendo que ¡nuestra Santa Madre Iglesia perdurará!

En el Amor de Cristo,

Reverendísimo Alberto Rojas

January 27, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Our Lord:
Peace and wellbeing to you and your families in this new Year of Grace.
In the spirit of the sure and certain joy of Our Lord’s victory over death, I kindly
ask that you join me in offering thankful prayers for Very Reverend Monsignor
Tom Wallace, who passed away into Eternal Life on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at
St. Adelaide Parish rectory in Highland, California. We ask our Lord Jesus to
comfort each and every one of us as we face this very untimely and sudden death
of such a beloved priest, servant, and friend. View PDF: English

Thomas Mitchell Wallace was born on September 5, 1953, in Fontana, California
to Alfred Lee and Elaine Ruth (Wilson) Wallace, both of whom preceded their son
in death several years ago; his brother Michael Wallace also preceded him in
death. Tom Wallace was the fourth of six children born to the Wallace family. He
attended local elementary schools in Rialto and graduated from Eisenhower High
School in Rialto in 1971. After attending San Bernardino Valley College for one
year, he discerned the call to the priesthood and entered Saint Francis College
Seminary in San Diego for the Diocese of San Diego. While obtaining his
formation at Saint Francis College Seminary, he took undergraduate college
classes simultaneously at the University of San Diego (USD) and was awarded the
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from USD in June 1976. He was zealous in
his priestly vocation and then continued his theological studies for the Diocese of
San Diego (and later the newly formed Diocese of San Bernardino) at Saint
Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, where he obtained the Master of
Divinity Degree in 1980.

Monsignor Wallace had the unique distinction of being the first priest ordained for
the newly formed Diocese of San Bernardino. He was ordained at Our Lady of the
Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino, by the imposition of hands of Emeritus Bishop
Phillip F. Straling on January 18, 1980 and began a long journey of serving our
Church for over 40 years. His first priestly assignment was as Parochial Vicar at
St. Peter and St. Paul Parish, Alta Loma (1980 to 1984). He then heard the
missionary call of the Holy Spirit and received permission from Bishop Straling to
undertake ministry with the Society of Saint James, a diocesan missionary group;
he ministered with impoverished communities in Peru and Ecuador for three years
from 1984 to 1987 and became extremely fluent in the Spanish language and

strongly rooted in ministry to the Latino community. He returned to the Diocese of
San Bernardino in 1987 and served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Rosary
Cathedral, San Bernardino. In 1987, he was named Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish,
Barstow, then was named Pastor of Saint James the Less Parish, Perris from 1991
to 1996. From 1996 to 1998 he served as Pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish,
Blythe. Later he served as Pastor of Saint Martha Parish, Murrieta from 1998 to
2003. In 2003, he was named Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, La Quinta.
Over the course of his many parish assignments, he also served as Vicar Forane.

Monsignor Wallace also faithfully served the local Diocesan Church in many
important positions. Bishop Emeritus Gerald R. Barnes appointed him as Vicar
General of the Diocese from 1999 to 2001. On June 30, 2001, Pope Saint John
Paul II named then Father Tom Wallace as Chaplain to His Holiness with the title
of Monsignor, a recognition that was requested by Bishop Barnes for many years
of outstanding priestly service and dedication; this was the first time Bishop
Barnes requested this as Diocesan Bishop. On July 1, 2004, Bishop Barnes
appointed Monsignor Wallace as the first Episcopal Vicar of the newly created
Riverside Pastoral Region, a ministry which he fulfilled so well for nine years
until July 1, 2013, when he stepped down as Episcopal Vicar to become Director
of the Missions Office and Vicar for Priests. It was in the same year of 2013 that
he also received the “Amar es Entregarse” Award in recognition of his dedicated
ministry.

As Riverside Episcopal Vicar, he also served as the Priest Moderator of several
parishes guided by Pastoral Coordinators, and also continued to serve on many
important committees such as the Diocesan Finance Council, the Presbyteral
Council, and numerous corporate boards. With the challenge of the COVID
pandemic, Monsignor Wallace accepted the pastorate at Our Lady of Perpetual
Help Parish, Riverside on July 1, 2020, and served that community faithfully for
two years. On July 1, 2022, I was happy to re-appoint Monsignor Wallace to full-
time ministry in the Missions Office and as Vicar for Priests, as he tirelessly
dedicated himself to the priestly ministry which he loved so much. His care and
compassion were great gifts for our newly-ordained priests and our retired, ill
priests who received his constant personal support and friendly visits.

In his final months of service, Monsignor Wallace was a very active supply priest
in the midst of his Diocesan ministry. He was cheerfully on call as chaplain at
Saint Bernardine Medical Center, San Bernardino and comforted countless
families at funeral Masses at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Colton. Never
wavering in his commitment to serve our people in any need, he endeared himself
to all who knew him, as they will remember his gentle presence, his “saintly”
greeting, welcoming smile, and inspirational words of wisdom.

Let us offer thanks to Our Lord Jesus for the truly remarkable life and ministry of
Monsignor Tom, now that he is enjoying the company of his Good Shepherd and
Lord. I thank you for offering prayers for his immediate family: brothers Bill
Wallace and Jim Wallace, of Desert Hot Springs and Apple Valley, respectively;
and sisters Cindy Gutierrez of Friday Harbor, Washington and Sue Wallace of
Oregon; in addition to numerous nephews, nieces and cousins throughout the
country. We thank the Wallace family for the tremendous gift of their brother who
gave so much to so many.

I kindly invite you to join in the important funeral liturgies which as a local
Church we will offer for Monsignor Wallace’s memory. The Vigil Service will
take place on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral,
2525 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino 92405 starting at 2:00 PM with
public viewing and recitation of the Rosary; the Vigil Service Liturgy will take
place at 6:00 PM; additional public viewing will take place from 7:00 PM to 9:00
PM. I will preside at the Funeral Mass on Monday, February 6, 2023, at Saint Paul
the Apostle Parish, 14085 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills 91709 at 10:00 AM, with His
Eminence Cardinal Robert W. McElroy from San Diego (a seminary classmate of
Monsignor Wallace) and our Emeritus Bishop Gerald R. Barnes as concelebrants.
The Rite of Committal and Burial will take place on Monday, February 6, 2023, at
Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, 3510 Washington Street, Colton 92324 at
1:30 PM. After the burial, all are invited to a reception at St. Adelaide Parish,
27457 Baseline Street, Highland 92346.

I ask my brother priests to offer the customary three Masses of suffrage for
Monsignor Wallace’s eternal rest. Also, in lieu of flowers, donations to our
Seminarian Endowment will be happily received in Monsignor Wallace’s memory
as a priest of 43 years. May Our Lord Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Saint
Bernardine of Siena admit Monsignor Wallace to the Heavenly Banquet in the
glories of Eternal Life.

Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your master’s joy. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ’s Love,

Most Reverend Alberto Rojas
Bishop of San Bernardino

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Please join me in praying for the eternal rest of Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI, who was called home to God on this final day of 2022. There is a great
sadness in our hearts at the thought that this great man of knowledge and
courage, who shepherded our Church for eight years, has passed from this
life. At the same time, we are grateful to God for the many ways that he
gifted our Church, as a priest, theologian, as the Holy Father and, finally, in
retirement. As a teacher and a defender of Church doctrine, Benedict XVI
was a guiding light to faithful Catholics who sought to understand and fully
live out their faith in the modern world. Thankfully, we have the many
books, encyclicals, letters and homilies authored by Benedict XVI to remind
us and enrich us in his legacy. View PDF: Bilingual

I am particularly grateful to Pope Benedict XVI because he named me a
Bishop 11 years ago.

Our Church now enters a period of mourning, so let us receive this moment
as time to unite ourselves in prayer and reflection on a great leader of our
Universal Church. Further information will be provided in the coming days
about our local diocesan observance of the passing of Benedict XVI.

Peace and blessings to you and to your families.

In Christ’s Love,
Most Reverend Alberto Rojas

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,

Les pido que se unan a mí en rezar por el descanso eterno del Papa
Emérito Benedicto XVI, quien ha vuelto a la casa del Padre en este día
final del 2022. Sentimos una gran tristeza que este gran hombre de
conocimiento y valentía, que pastoreó a nuestra Iglesia por ocho años, ha
fallecido. Al mismo tiempo, estamos agradecidos con Dios por las varias
maneras que ha bendecido a nuestra Iglesia, como sacerdote, teólogo,
como el Santo Padre y, finalmente, en su jubilación. Como maestro
y defensor de la doctrina de la Iglesia, Benedicto XVI fue una luz que
guio a los fieles Católicos que buscaban comprender y vivir de manera
plena su fe en el mundo moderno. Gracias a Dios, tenemos
muchos libros, encíclicas, cartas y homilías escritas por
Benedicto XVI que nos recordarán de su legado y nos continuarán
enriqueciendo.

Estoy agradecido de manera especial al Papa Benedicto XVI porque
me nombró Obispo hace 11 años.
Nuestra Iglesia ahora entra en una temporada de luto, los invito a
que reciban este momento como un tiempo para unirnos en oración y
reflexión sobre un gran líder de nuestra Iglesia Universal.
Compartiremos más información en los días venideros sobre la
observancia local de nuestra diócesis por el fallecimiento de Benedicto
XVI.

Paz y bienestar para todos ustedes y sus familias.

En el Amor de Cristo,

Muy Reverendo Alberto Rojas

September 24-25, 2022

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and well-being to you. We can all agree that God has created every human life in His image. As St.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good
works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” (Eph. 2:10) .View PDF: Bilingual

So, we commit ourselves as people of faith to advocate for life from conception to natural death, and all
points in between. It is especially important for us to raise our voices on behalf of the most vulnerable
among us, including the elderly, the infirm, the impoverished, the immigrant and, of course, the unborn.

The issue of life has come before us in a very central way this year. We rejoiced in the U.S. Supreme
Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June. It was the answer to so many years of prayer because it now
means federal law provides protection for every precious life that God has created.

Sadly, political leaders at the state level have responded to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade with a
proposal to make abortion permanently legal, without any restrictions, in our State Constitution. It is called Prop. 1 and it will be on the November 8 ballot.

I urge you in strongest possible way to vote ‘NO’ on Prop. 1. It would not only continue the terrible scourge of abortion in our state, it would also increase it, using our tax dollars to bring people from all over the country to receive abortions here. Prop. 1 does not affirm the beauty and value of the life that God gives us. It promotes a culture of death.

The call to Faithful Citizenship invites to participate in the election process by voting if we are eligible and
encouraging others to vote if we are not eligible, ourselves. This is a moment when our participation in the election as faithful citizens can be life changing. Let us use our prophetic voices to speak out on the
realities of Prop. 1 in the coming weeks. Please do so in a spirit of civility that shows our respect for the
dignity of every human person – including those who do not agree with us.

As we make this difficult journey in the political process, let us pray for the intercession of Our Lady of
Guadalupe, patroness of our Diocese and of the unborn.

May God bless you and your loved ones.

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop Alberto Rojas
Diocese of San Bernardino

24 y 25 de Septiembre de 2022

Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,
Paz y bienestar esté con ustedes. Todos estamos de acuerdo que Dios ha creado a cada vida humana a Su
imagen. Como escribió San Pablo en su carta a los Efesios, “Lo que somos es obra de Dios: hemos sido
creados en Cristo Jesús con miras a las buenas obras que Dios dispuso de antemano para que nos
ocupáramos en ellas.” (Ef. 2;10)

Por lo tanto, como personas de fe nos comprometemos a defender la vida desde la concepción hasta la
muerte natural, y todas las etapas intermedias. Es de especial importancia que alcemos nuestras voces en
defensa de los más vulnerables entre nosotros, incluyendo los ancianos, los enfermos, los pobres, el
migrante, y, por supuesto, los no nacidos.

El tema de la vida se nos ha presentado de una manera central este año. Nos alegramos con la decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos de revocar Roe contra Wade en junio. Esta decisión fue una
respuesta a las oraciones de tantos años, porque significa que ahora la ley federal brinda protección para
cada vida preciosa que Dios ha creado.

Tristemente, los líderes políticos a nivel estatal han respondido a la revocación de Roe vs. Wade con una
propuesta de legalizar permanentemente el aborto, sin ningunas restricciones, en la Constitución de
nuestro estado. Esta es la Propuesta I, y va a estar en la boleta el 8 de noviembre.

Les exhorto de una manera muy seria a que voten ‘NO’ en la Propuesta 1. Esta propuesta no solo
continuaría con el terrible flagelo del aborto en nuestro estado, pero lo aumentaría, utilizando dinero de
nuestros impuestos para traer a personas de todo el país para poder practicar abortos aquí en nuestro
estado. La Propuesta Ino afirma la belleza y el valor de la vida que Dios nos da. Sino que promueve una
cultura de muerte.

El llamado a la Ciudadanía Fiel nos invita a participar en el proceso electoral de votar, si somos elegibles,
y a animar a otros a votar si nosotros no somos elegibles. Este es un momento en que nuestra
participación en la elección como ciudadanos fieles puede cambiar las vidas de muchas personas.
Alcemos nuestras voces de manera profética para concientizar sobre las realidades de la Propuesta len las semanas que vienen. Por favor háganlo en un espíritu de civismo que demuestra nuestro respeto por la dignidad de cada ser humano-incluyendo aquellos que no están de acuerdo con nosotros.

Y mientras atravesamos este camino difícil en el proceso político, oremos por la intercesión de Nuestra
Señora de Guadalupe, patrona de nuestra Diócesis y de los no nacidos.

Que Dios los bendiga a ustedes y a sus seres queridos.

En el Amor de Cristo,

Obispo Alberto Rojas
Diócesis de San Bernardino

Muy queridos Hermanos:

Como Obispo y pastor de esta diócesis, quiero expresar mi solidaridad con el pueblo
Nicaragüense, por las preocupantes noticias que han corrido por el mundo, sobre la
situación nacional del pueblo creyente en Nicaragua. Sabemos que la Policía Nacional
de ese país entró a la curia episcopal de Matagalpa sacando a la fuerza al obispo
diocesano Monseñor Rolando Álvarez y personas que le acompañaban. View PDF: Spanish

Nuestra Diócesis de San Bernardino cuenta con una comunidad nicaragüense de
católicos amantes de la Inmaculada Concepción de María. También hemos recibido
pastores del clero de nicaragua en diferentes momentos y nos hemos unido a ellos en
ocasión de celebrar con su pueblo el amor a Nuestra Señora.

Me uno a los deseos de nuestro Papa Francisco, quien ha intercedido por un “diálogo
abierto y sincero entre gobernantes y pueblo, para poner las bases a una convivencia
respetuosa y pacífica”. Todos somos parte del Cuerpo de Cristo y les ruego nos
unamos en oración por este miembro de nuestra Iglesia que sufre de la persecución y
la violencia.

Estoy en oración con nuestros hermanos de Nicaragua y acompaño a sus pastores en
estos tiempos difíciles para renovar nuestra esperanza en las promesas del Evangelio.

En el amor y la paz de Cristo,

Muy Reverendo Alberto Rojas
Obispo de la Diócesis de San Bernardino

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My thoughts are with our immigrant brothers and sisters in a special way as
we reflect on the events of the past week. Like you, I have been
heartbroken at the news of the tragic June 28 deaths of 51 people in San
Antonio, Texas View PDF: Bilingual who were victims of an immigration system lacking in
compassion and care for the human person. We pray for their eternal rest,
and we pray that God will comfort those loved ones they left behind. We
feel the pain in solidarity with those directly affected by this tragedy, we
resist indifference to the suffering and loss of precious lives before us. This,
too, is a “life” issue. It reminds us once again of the peril that confronts
those men, women and children who undertake the journey of migration to
seek a better life for themselves and their families. I invite all the Catholic
faithful to join in solidarity and support for Justice for Immigrants. May we
take steps to secure their journey of migration, including advocating to our
government leaders for more humane conditions on their way. We received
some good news on this front with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 30 ruling
in the Biden v. Texas case that paves the way for ending the inhumane and
damaging so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy that was enacted under the
previous presidential administration. This policy has led to prolonged
separation of families and put brothers and sisters in unhealthy and
dangerous living conditions as they await a hearing for political asylum in
the United States. I am proud of our diocese’s record of compassionate
and steadfast service to the immigrant community, including those asylum
seekers who have come to our communities. Let us continue to model the
words of our Lord in Matthew’s Gospel when he said, “for I was a stranger
and you welcomed me.”

In Christ,
Bishop Alberto Rojas

Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,

Mis pensamientos están con nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes
de una manera especial al reflexionar sobre los eventos de la semana
pasada. Al igual que a ustedes, me ha roto el corazón la noticia de la
trágica muerte el 28 de junio de 51 personas en San Antonio, Texas, que
fueron víctimas de un sistema de inmigración que carece de compasión y
cuidado de las personas humanas. Oramos por su descanso eterno, y le
pedimos a Dios que consuele a sus seres queridos que dejan atrás.
Sentimos el dolor en solidaridad con aquellos que han sido afectados
directamente por esta tragedia, y resistimos la indiferencia al sufrimiento y
la pérdida de vidas valiosas que está frente a nosotros. Este también, es
un área en que necesitamos “proteger la vida.” Nos recuerda una vez más
el peligro que enfrentan los hombres, mujeres y niños que hacen esa
jornada de migración para buscar una vida mejor para ellos y sus familias.
Invito a todos los fieles católicos a unirse en solidaridad y en apoyo de la
Justicia para los Migrantes. Tomemos pasos para que su jornada de
migración sea segura, incluyendo, abogando a nuestros líderes de
gobierno para crear condiciones más humanas en su camino. Recibimos
buenas noticias con respecto a esto con la decisión de la Corte Suprema
de los Estados Unidos el 30 de junio en el caso Biden v. Texas que
prepara el camino para terminar con la póliza inhumana y dañina de
“Permanecer en México” que fue adoptada bajo la previa administración
presidencial. Esta póliza ha llevado a la separación prolongada de familias
y puesto a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en condiciones de vida dañinas
y peligrosas mientras esperan una audiencia para recibir asilo político aquí
en los Estados Unidos. Estoy orgulloso del récord de nuestra diócesis de
servir con compasión y constancia a la comunidad inmigrante. Sigamos
modelando las palabras de Nuestro Señor en el Evangelio de San Mateo,
“Fui forastero y ustedes me recibieron en su casa.”

En Cristo,
Obispo Alberto Rojas