Turlock reverend: Religious freedom for all, including detained immigrants | Opinion

Religious freedom begins at home

“Turlock reverend: Catholics must speak up against deportations | Opinion,” (modbee.com, July 20)

On All Saints’ Day, clergy, religious sisters and laity — including a Chicago auxiliary bishop — were barred from bringing the Eucharist to detainees at the Broadview immigration detention center. This marks the second such denial in three weeks. Despite peaceful processions and outdoor Masses involving thousands, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials refused entry.

Cardinal Blase Cupich rightly called this a violation of religious freedom and human dignity. A class-action lawsuit now alleges widespread mistreatment at Broadview, including the denial of religious rights. Judge Robert Gettleman found the facility’s conditions “don’t pass constitutional muster,” and imposed a restraining order demanding reforms. Pope Leo XIV has condemned the “inhuman treatment of immigrants,” and urged U.S. bishops to speak out.

Over 60 religious groups — including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Christian and Jewish denominations — have joined lawsuits challenging the administration’s immigration policies. As Scripture reminds us, we will be judged by how we welcome the stranger.

Religious freedom must begin at home.

Fr. Misael Avila

Turlock

Turlock fails to fix potholes

“Turlock road repair consultant to give update. What are the five-year plan estimates?” (modbee.com, May 17, 2022)

The safety of drivers is the most important aspect to consider for cities. Turlock fails to uphold this standard due to the vast amount of potholes formed throughout the city. Potholes force drivers to swerve out of the way, creating danger for the community.

The City of Turlock should dedicate two weeks every year to fixing potholes. In 2023, Salt Lake City dedicated a week to fixing potholes, repairing over 5,000 potholes. In Richmond, Virginia, officials performed the same task using a phone number dedicated to reporting potholes.

These potholes could cause car crashes — and, most importantly, injuries. We must address this issue now.

Emanuel Davood

Turlock

Republican blame game

“Trump signs spending bill to end shutdown,” (modbee.com, Nov. 13)

House Speaker Mike Johnson, discussing the government shutdown on Fox News, said, “It is extremism on the left that is the root cause of Americans’ suffering right now.”

We have a Republican-controlled government right now. Republicans passed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” knowing they were going to cut $186 billion dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and $1.2 trillion dollars from Medicaid.

So why are Republicans blaming everyone except themselves? Name calling and blaming isn’t going to help a family feed their children or cover their health care when they are sick.

Larry Podolsky

Oakdale