Minneapolis Church Leaders Unite for Healing After Crisis

Religious leaders in St. Paul, Minnesota chose reconciliation over division when they celebrated a special Mass of Solidarity with Migrants at the University of St. Thomas on February 27, 2026. About 30 bishops, including three cardinals, gathered to preach a message of hope during a difficult time for their community.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda opened his heart during the service, sharing his own struggles with anger in recent weeks. His honesty resonated with seminarians, school principals, and fellow bishops who filled the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas.

"Jesus gave us the ministry of reconciliation," Archbishop Hebda reminded the congregation. He encouraged everyone to work actively for unity rather than staying stuck in anger.

The archbishop offered a practical path forward. Instead of feeling helpless, he said, people can ask for grace to get their own hearts and actions in better order. Small steps toward kindness matter.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, said he felt proud to see the Church standing with those who suffer. Cardinal Robert McElroy added that everyone needs healing, comparing the Church to a field hospital where all are welcome.

The Ripple Effect

The Mass wasn't just symbolic. It brought together diverse groups who don't often share the same space: bishops from across the country, future priests still in training, and educators working in inner-city Catholic schools. Their unified presence sent a clear message that reconciliation is possible when people choose connection over conflict.

Archbishop Hebda quoted Pope Leo's recent Lenten message, which called for people to measure their words carefully and cultivate kindness in families, at work, on social media, and in political debates. Words of hatred can give way to words of hope, the Pope wrote.

The bishops' choice to gather for this Mass shows that religious leaders are willing to model the difficult work of moving from anger to understanding. In a world that often rewards division, they chose solidarity.

When communities face their hardest moments, the path forward starts with individuals willing to do the inner work of reconciliation.