Bishop Rodriguez, Vatican Officials and Local Catholics Pray the Rosary Outside of New ICE Detention Facility in Hudson

By Joe Donelson

On the wide, sweeping plains of Hudson, Colorado, an intimate group of Catholics, faith leaders and human rights representatives gathered to pray the Rosary on July 10. Just outside the vacant Hudson Correctional Facility, the group interceded for those who will occupy the facility when it reopens as a 1,200-bed detention center for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Hosted by Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, the gathering included a delegation from the World Meeting of Popular Movements from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which works alongside grassroots and community-led organizations that are attempting to address structural, economic and racial injustice worldwide. The Vatican and international Catholic delegation included César Piscoya, an adviser to the Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) and longtime friend of Pope Leo XIV, and Luca Casarini, founder of Mediterranea Saving Lives and the coordinator for social issues of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM).