Archbishop Calls for Holy Hour for Peace After ICE Deaths

USCCB president says 'current climate of fear and polarization' disregards human dignity

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:07pm

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Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has called for a Holy Hour for peace in response to the recent killings of two people by immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis and the death of a detained man in Texas. Coakley said the deaths "are just a few of the tragic examples of the violence that represent failures in our society to respect the dignity of every human life." He invited bishops and priests across the U.S. to offer a Holy Hour for Peace in the days ahead.

Why it matters

The archbishop's message comes amid growing concerns from Catholic bishops over the increasingly frayed domestic and international order. The USCCB has previously condemned "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people" and called for an end to "dehumanizing rhetoric and violence." Coakley's call for a Holy Hour reflects the church's efforts to promote peace and justice in the face of societal divisions and violence.

The details

The deaths referenced by Coakley include those of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal agents on Jan. 7 and 24 while protesting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, as well as that of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos, whose Jan. 3 death in a Texas immigration detention facility has been ruled a homicide. Campos had pleaded for medication before apparently being slammed to the ground by guards, according to sworn court testimony.

  • On Jan. 7, Renee Nicole Good was killed by federal agents while protesting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
  • On Jan. 24, Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents while protesting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
  • On Jan. 3, Geraldo Lunas Campos died in a Texas immigration detention facility, with his death ruled a homicide.

The players

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archbishop of Oklahoma City.

Renee Nicole Good

One of two people killed by federal agents while protesting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

One of two people killed by federal agents while protesting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

A Cuban immigrant who died in a Texas immigration detention facility, with his death ruled a homicide.

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What they’re saying

“May this Holy Hour be a moment of renewal for our hearts and for our nation.”

— Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of Oklahoma City (Angelus News)

What’s next

Archbishop Coakley invited bishops and priests across the U.S. to offer a Holy Hour for Peace in the days ahead, providing a link to a USCCB webpage with instructions, Scripture readings and a "Litany of Peace."

The takeaway

Archbishop Coakley's call for a Holy Hour for Peace reflects the Catholic Church's efforts to promote reconciliation, justice, and respect for human dignity in the face of growing societal divisions and violence, particularly towards immigrants and marginalized communities.