As ICE Intensifies In Connecticut, Bishop Caggiano Speaks – I Cannot Remain Silent While Members Of Our Human Family Suffer

Analysis and Comment10 Comments

Statement from Bishop Frank Caggiano, Diocese of Bridgeport:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In recent days, many families throughout Fairfield County, in Danbury, in Stamford, and in other of our communities, have lived through moments of real fear as immigration enforcement activity has intensified in our area. I have heard of husbands and fathers taken from their cars on the way to work, of spouses unable to find where a loved one has been brought, and of neighbors who no longer feel at ease walking to the store, dropping off a child at school, or simply going about the ordinary business of the day. Whatever one believes about the just enforcement of our nation’s laws, no person of faith can look upon this kind of suffering with indifference.

As your Bishop, I want you to know that the entire Diocese of Bridgeport is close to you in this moment. We are one Church, one Body in Christ, and when one member suffers, all of us suffer with him/her. To every family that has been separated this week, to every spouse searching for news of a husband or wife, to every child who wonders whether a parent will come home, I say clearly: you are not alone. This diocese holds you in constant prayer, and I hold you in my heart as your father in faith. You are daily in my prayers, especially when I celebrate Mass, the height of Christian prayer.

I do not write to make a political statement, nor is it the place of a Bishop to dictate the particulars of civil policy that belong properly to lawmakers and to citizens acting according to their conscience. But I write as a pastor who cannot remain silent while members of our human family are suffering, while families are separated, and while fear has entered our schools, our workplaces, and our streets. Every person, whatever his or her country of birth or immigration status, is made in the image and likeness of God and possesses a dignity that no earthly power may set aside.

To our immigrant brothers and sisters throughout Fairfield County, whether or not you are Catholic, whether or not you have ever set foot in one of our parishes, please know that the Church stands with you. Our parishes, our Catholic Charities, and our Office of Hispanic Ministry remain, as they have always been, places of welcome and refuge, and no one need fear that the doors of our churches will ever be closed to them.

I am asking every parish of the diocese to include a prayer for immigrant families and for all those affected by these events at every Mass in the days ahead.

Let us remember the word the Lord speaks to us again and again in Scripture: do not be afraid, for I am with you (cf. Is 41:10). Fear is real, but it does not have the final word. Christ walks with every suffering family in Fairfield County each day, and He asks each of us, as His Church, to walk with them as well.

May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the migrant and consolation of the afflicted, wrap her mantle around every family who suffers in this hour. And may Almighty God bless and keep you all.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano

Bishop of Bridgeport

4+
Share

10 comments

  3. See, John, that’s the problem with the words/code.

    When I “read” Thomas’ words. I perceive Fuck you, Bishop Caggiano. 🤣

    Speaking of words.

    Jesus, I came to pit man against son (ironic), mother against daughter, and family members against each other. No one gets into Heaven except through me. Because I am special. 🤣

    Muhammed, kill the gays and infidels. Islam is the true religion. Because it’s special. 😊

    Yahweh, fuck it, kill everybody and almost every land animal, and the Jewish people are the anointed chosen ones, because we’re special. 🙂

    Shiva, it was what it was. It could be special. 🙂

    Buddha, it is what it is, It should be special. 🙂

    Of course, I’m paraphrasing, people. 🤣

    Read your books, people. It in the words. Can’t get it wrong.

    Or not, #chaos, Mayhem, John, 🙂

    What say you Keymaster?

    The Prophet.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s&list=RDj5-yKhDd64s&start_radio=1

    0

      1. You think?

        I didn’t invent this disingenuous code-word play.

        John? 🙂

        P.S The “Most” Reverend Frank J. Caggiano. 🤣

        Perhaps, “Every person, whatever his or her country of birth or immigration status, is made in the image and likeness of God and possesses a dignity that no earthly power may set aside.”

        Don’t forget, Plus Poop, 🤣

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKkePrKjfc

        JS Enjoy the Image, people

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbKYm8o_ufc

        .

        0

  5. You’ve remained silent since this happened:

    Bridgeport Police Officer Cooper Whiteside, 38, died alongside his girlfriend, 34-year-old Brittany Islami, in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Danbury on July 13, 2026.Crash DetailsTime and Location: The collision happened at roughly 2:45 a.m. on Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury, close to the Ridgefield line.The Incident: Whiteside was operating his Harley-Davidson motorcycle with Islami as a passenger when it collided with a Jeep Compass.Casualties: Both Whiteside and Islami were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep sustained serious injuries and was taken to Danbury Hospital.Investigation: Authorities say 38-year-old Officer Cooper Whiteside and 34-year-old Brittany Islami were riding a motorcycle when they collided with a Jeep driven by Ramirez on Sugar Hollow Road. Investigators charged Ramirez with two counts of manslaughter, driving under the influence, speeding, and lane violations. as reported by [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bptpolice/posts/forever-in-our-hearts #322 #CooperWhiteside/1341519304818723/).Legacy and TributesBridgeport Police Department: Whiteside was only a week away from completing two years with the department. Outside headquarters, his patrol vehicle was transformed into a floral and balloon memorial. Read more coverage on the tribute via CTPost.Community Service: Before realizing his dream of joining law enforcement, Whiteside worked extensively as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and training captain with departments in Brookfield and West Redding.Victims: Brittany Islami was remembered as a devoted mother to three children.A local news report highlights the community’s grief and the memorial established outside the police department:1:57Memorial grows for Bridgeport officer after fatal crash1 month agoNBC ConnecticutIf you would like, I can provide details on the fundraising campaigns organized for the families or more information on the funeral processions held across Connecticut.CTPostPolice honor Bridgeport officer killed in Danbury motorcycle crash – CTPostJul 16, 2026 — Tributes have poured in from fellow cops, fire departments where Whiteside used to work, and politicians in both Bridgeport and his hometown of Danbury. In Brid…WFSBBridgeport mourns Officer Cooper Whiteside killed in Danbury crashJul 13, 2026 — ‘His dream was to become a police officer’: Bridgeport mourns Officer Cooper Whiteside killed in Danbury crash. … A Bridgeport Police officer was killed in a …YouTube·NBC Connecticut1mMemorial grows for Bridgeport officer after fatal crashFacebook·Bridgeport Police DepartmentForever in our hearts #322 #CooperWhitesideJul 24, 2026 — Danbury police arrested 27-year-old Melissa Ramirez, an illegal immigrant, following a fatal crash that killed an off-duty Bridgeport police officer and his gir…CTPostBridgeport officer killed in crash honored with patrol car memorialJul 15, 2026 — Whiteside, who was off-duty, and Islami, who was riding on the motorcycle, died Monday in a crash in Danbury near the Ridgefield line. Whiteside was riding his …CT InsiderBridgeport cop killed in crash remembered for service to communityJul 24, 2026 — Whiteside was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury on July 13 when he collided with a Jeep Compass, Danbury police said. The de…NBC Connecticut1:57Memorial grows for Bridgeport officer after fatal crash ”

    I’m guessing Caggiano has been too busy praying to become aware of the many innocent victims meeting the same fate as Whiteside.

    1+

Leave a Reply