FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2026
Contact Name: Katie Zakrzewski
Catholic Climate Covenant
katie@catholicclimatecovenant.org | 501-618-0234
“Taken, Broken, Shared” Vigil Calls for Courageous, Faithful Public Witness
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over 3,000 Catholics and people of faith from across the United States joined Taken, Broken, Shared: Catholic Witness Today, an online vigil, reflection, and call to action Tuesday night, in response to the recent killing of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents. The event was rooted in prayer, testimony, and Catholic social teaching.
Organized in partnership with ten Catholic justice organizations, the gathering brought together lay leaders, women religious, bishops, organizers, and people living amid intensified immigration enforcement—many of them in Minnesota—to discern what faithful public witness demands in this moment.
“I feel so tired and exhausted, but I’ve never felt more connected—to my community, to God, and to my faith,” shared Chris Damien, a Minnesotan on the frontlines. “We’re facing an armed occupation, and we’re armed with whistles, cameras, and community. It’s hard, but from what I’m seeing, we’re winning. They intend to break us, but the longer they’re here, the more connected we become.”
The gathering featured reflections from Catholic leaders, including Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Bishop Brendan Cahill of Victoria, Texas; Bishop Oscar Cantú of San José; Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima, Washington; and Bishop John Ricard, SSJ, Superior General of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Participants were invited to take immediate action by contacting U.S. senators to oppose harmful increases in funding for ICE and CBP, support mutual aid efforts in Minnesota, and commit to ongoing prayerful presence and accompaniment in their local communities in a “Season of Faithful Witness” from now until the Feast of Corpus Christi in June.
“Our Catholic tradition calls us not to turn away, but to show up, together, with courage and care,” said Jon Gromek of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. “Love is not passive, and in moments like this, our faith compels us to act through prayerful presence and courageous public witness.”
A recording of the gathering is available here or on the @JesuitsWestJustice YouTube channel.
The event was organized in partnership with The Ignatian Solidarity Network, Jesuits West, Catholic Climate Covenant, The Dorothea Project, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, The Los Angeles Catholic Worker, Catholic Volunteer Network, The St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart—the Josephites, Discerning Deacons, Jesuit Refugee Service USA, and Pax Christi USA. Click here for a recap of the event and to pull more quotes.
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