Bishop Frank J. Dewane calls on all people of goodwill to pray for our government officials, for those in immigration custody and their families, for those who work in enforcement, and for justice and prosperity across our nation. Please read a letter from Bishop Dewane to the faithful offered below in English and Spanish.
July 3, 2025
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the new detention center becomes operational at Dade-Collier Airport, or “Alligator Alcatraz,” it seems necessary to take stock of recent developments in immigration enforcement and the need for further improvements to our wider immigration system.
Broad Support for Actions Against Criminals
In describing immigration enforcement initiatives, the Trump administration has stated its focus is on removing criminal aliens who endanger public safety. This concern is widely shared. There is no argument with this. However, the need for just immigration enforcement and the government’s obligation to carry it out must be undertaken in a way that is targeted, humane and proportional.
Growing Recognition of Contributions of Immigrants
There is also a growing recognition that many, indeed most immigrants, even those who are not lawfully present, are not dangerous but peaceful, law-abiding, and hardworking contributors to our communities and to our economy. President Trump has acknowledged this in his recent remarks establishing a farm pass for those working in the agriculture industry.
Concern for strategies and rhetoric failing to respond to the dignity of persons
It is alarming to see enforcement strategies which treat all unauthorized immigrants as dangerous criminals. Masked, heavily armed agents who fail to identify themselves in enforcement activities are surprising. So is an apparent lack of due process in deportation proceedings in recent months.
Along this line, much current rhetoric is obviously intentionally provocative. It is unbecoming of public officials and corrosive of the common good to speak of the deterrence value of “alligators and pythons” at the Collier-Dade facility. I do not speak so glibly in regard to convicted felons in Florida Department of Corrections facilities. Decency requires that we remember individuals being detained are fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters of distressed relatives. This dignity of every person always remains unchanged: it is the dignity of a creature willed and loved by God (Pope Leo XIV, 16 May 2025).
Regarding the Center and Conditions
Observers note that people will be held at the new center in temporary structures, in the heat of the Florida summer, crowded in confined spaces, far from medical facilities and possibly located in the path of hurricanes. I have every hope that for brief stays, the conditions will benefit human dignity.
Concern for pastoral needs of detainees and staff
As this and other planned facilities become operational, it should be ensured that chaplains and pastoral ministers will be able to serve those in custody, to their benefit and that of the staff.
Reiterating a call for reforms to U.S. immigration system and support for those involved
The bishops of the United States have long been advocates of reforms to our immigration system. Thoughtful observers of the challenges faced by our country cannot help but recognize that serious reforms are necessary to preserve safety and the integrity of our borders, as well as to accommodate needs for labor, family stability and the ability of those at risk of grave harm to migrate with due process. Enforcement should be proportional. We continue to propose reforms that will enhance our immigration system, respect human dignity and promote the common good. For more on the bishops’ approach to immigration reforms, click here.
I call on all people of goodwill to pray for our government officials, for those in immigration custody and their families, for those who work in enforcement, and for justice and prosperity across our nation.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
Una Declaración del Obispo Frank J. Dewane sobre la Aplicación de la Ley de Inmigración, 3 de julio de 2025
A medida que el nuevo centro de detención entra en funcionamiento en el Aeropuerto Dade-Collier, o “Alligator Alcatraz”, parece necesario hacer un balance de los desarrollos recientes en la aplicación de la ley de inmigración y la necesidad de más mejoras en nuestro sistema de inmigración en general.
Amplio Apoyo a las Acciones Contra los Delincuentes
Al describir las iniciativas de aplicación de la ley de inmigración, la administración Trump ha declarado que su enfoque es expulsar a los extranjeros criminales que ponen en peligro la seguridad pública. Esta preocupación es ampliamente compartida. No hay discusión con esto. Sin embargo, la necesidad de una aplicación justa de la ley de inmigración y la obligación del gobierno de llevarla a cabo deben abordarse de una manera específica, humana y proporcional.
Creciente Reconocimiento de las Contribuciones de los Inmigrantes
También hay un creciente reconocimiento de que muchos, de hecho, la mayoría de los inmigrantes, incluso aquellos que no están legalmente presentes, no son peligrosos, sino pacíficos, respetuosos de la ley y trabajadores contribuyentes a nuestras comunidades y a nuestra economía. El presidente Trump ha reconocido esto en sus recientes comentarios al establecer un pase agrícola para aquellos que trabajan en la industria agrícola.
Preocupación por las estrategias y la retórica que no responden a la dignidad de las personas
Es alarmante ver estrategias de aplicación de la ley que tratan a todos los inmigrantes no autorizados como criminales peligrosos. Es sorprendente que agentes enmascarados y fuertemente armados que no se identifiquen en las actividades de aplicación de la ley. También lo es una aparente falta de debido proceso en los procedimientos de deportación en los últimos meses.
En este sentido, gran parte de la retórica actual es obviamente intencionadamente provocadora. Es impropio de los funcionarios públicos y corrosivo para el bien común hablar del valor disuasorio de los “caimanes y pitones” en las instalaciones de Collier-Dade. No hablo con tanta ligereza con respecto a los delincuentes convictos en las instalaciones del Departamento Correccional de Florida. La decencia exige que recordemos que las personas detenidas son padres y madres, hermanos y hermanas de parientes angustiados. Esta dignidad de cada persona permanece siempre inalterada: es la dignidad de una criatura querida y amada por Dios (Papa León XIV, 16 de mayo de 2025).
Sobre el Centro y las Condiciones
Los observadores señalan que las personas serán retenidas en el nuevo centro en estructuras temporales, en el calor del verano de Florida, hacinadas en espacios confinados, lejos de las instalaciones médicas y posiblemente ubicadas en la trayectoria de los huracanes. Tengo la esperanza de que, para estancias breves, las condiciones sean adecuadas a la dignidad humana.
Preocupación por las necesidades pastorales de los detenidos y del personal
A medida que esta y otras instalaciones planificadas entren en funcionamiento, se debe garantizar que los capellanes y ministros pastorales puedan atender a los detenidos, en su beneficio y en el del personal.
Reiterando un llamado a reformas al sistema de inmigración de EE. UU. y apoyo a los involucrados
Los obispos de los Estados Unidos han sido durante mucho tiempo defensores de reformas a nuestro sistema de inmigración. Los observadores atentos de los desafíos que enfrenta nuestro país no pueden dejar de reconocer que se necesitan reformas serias para preservar la seguridad y la integridad de nuestras fronteras, así como para satisfacer las necesidades laborales, la estabilidad familiar y la capacidad de quienes corren el riesgo de sufrir daños graves para migrar con el debido proceso. La aplicación de la ley debe ser proporcional. Seguimos proponiendo reformas que mejoren nuestro sistema de inmigración, respeten la dignidad humana y promuevan el bien común. Para más información sobre el enfoque de los obispos a las reformas migratorias, haga clic aquí.
Hago un llamado a todas las personas de buena voluntad para que oren por los funcionarios de nuestro gobierno, por los que están bajo custodia de inmigración y sus familias, por los que trabajan en la aplicación de la ley, y por la justicia y la prosperidad en toda nuestra nación.
In the first five weeks, the program has taken place at 12 Parishes, with the most recent camps being held the week of July 6-11, 2025, at St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, and jointly at Our Lady of Light and St. John XXIII Parishes, both in Fort Myers. Priests and staff have universally expressed how positive the program has been for their entire congregation.
Multiple Diocesan Catholic schools hosted STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) camps. Some covered several weeks for eager students.
Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population in Diocese of Venice’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal” is asking for your support. The giving is easy! Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters. To donate to “Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign,” please visit 
“The Lord’s Presence in the Blessed Sacrament brings me great comfort,” Purchase said. “I feel so happy to be able to honor Jesus in this special way, and I pray I will continue to carry out His call for me in my life.”
Deacon Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. After high school, he moved south to attend Ave Maria University where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Political Economy and Government. After working in business for several years and earning a master’s degree in systems engineering from Penn State University, he heard more clearly God’s call to holiness and discerned his vocation to the priesthood, completing his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and a theology degree at the Gregorian University in Rome. He is currently completing further studies at the Angelicum University in Rome. He has completed summer assignments at several Parishes in the Diocese of Venice, including St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, St. William in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers. He looks forward to walking with people in the challenges of daily life and growing and working with the Catholic community.
Deacon Gwynn was born and raised in Palmetto, and was baptized by Father Teofilo Useche, the current pastor of his home parish, Holy Cross. A graduate of Palmetto High School, Deacon Jacob went on to study at St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. As a Diocesan seminarian, Deacon Gwynn has had summer assignments at the following Parishes: St. William in Naples, St. Agnes in Naples; Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice; and Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, as well as serving a pastoral year at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He currently serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and looks forward to becoming a Navy chaplain following five years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Venice.
The second of six children, Deacon Long grew up in Sarasota, graduating from St. Martha Catholic School and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. He earned a degree in marketing from Florida State University and before discerning his vocation to the priesthood, enjoyed a career in marketing in the health care industry. Deacon Long has always been active in the Church, as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Religious Education teacher, youth group leader and Pro-Life volunteer. He credits his active participation in the Church to leading him to hear God’s call to the priesthood. Deacon Long completed his theological studies at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian for the Diocese, Deacon Long served summer assignments at Incarnation Parish, St. Martha Parish and St. Thomas More Parish, each in Sarasota. Additionally, he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Nebraska, later participating in a Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Guatemala.
The 2025 State Championship Cougar Girls Basketball Teams are: Madi Mignery, Talia Busser, Sy’Monique Simon, Riley Martin, Avery Davis, Josie Maloni, Ava Bruno, Charlie Scibelli, Emily Wilson, Brielle Buckley, Lailani Washington, Kali Barrett, London Guy, and Mishyah Rumph.
