Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester — one of the most followed Catholic leaders on social media — issued two statements on X addressing the escalating unrest in his home state. He called the situation “heartbreaking” and urged de-escalation, just before condemning a protest’s interruption of a church service as a violation of religious liberty.

“As a resident of Minnesota and as bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, my heart is breaking over the situation in my home state,” Bishop Barron wrote, citing what he called a “toxic mix” of violence, retribution, threats, protests, suspicion, political unrest, and fear gripping communities across the state. 

His comments come amid ongoing demonstrations against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state, which have drawn national attention following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of a Minnesota resident and subsequent clashes between protesters and federal agents. 

Bishop Barron offered what he termed a “modest proposal for exiting this unbearable state of affairs.” Addressing multiple parties, he called on federal authorities to narrow their focus, political leaders to lower the rhetorical temperature, and demonstrators to avoid obstructing law enforcement.

“The Trump Administration and ICE should limit themselves, at least for the time being, to rounding up undocumented people who have committed serious crimes,” he wrote. “Political leaders should stop stirring up resentment against officers who are endeavoring to enforce the laws of the country. And protestors should cease interfering with the work of ICE.”

He concluded with a plea for civility across the political spectrum: “And everyone on all sides must stop shouting at one another and demonizing their opponents. Where we are now is untenable. There is a way out.” 

Following an anti-ICE protest that interrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bishop Barron addressed the incident directly in a separate post on Jan. 19, condemning the disruption of worship and describing it as an objective violation of religious freedom.

“I don’t care what is animating or annoying you, I don’t care what your political persuasion might be,” he wrote in a subsequent post. “Invading a church is unacceptable and is a violation of religious liberty.”