FORT WORTH, Texas — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has released one of its strongest statements yet on immigration, condemning indiscriminate deportations.

The council said its duty is rooted in compassion: “As pastors, we, the bishops of the United States, are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion… We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety… and we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.”

Bishop Michael Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth was among the overwhelming majority who voted to issue the special message. “As pastors, we all felt the need to speak out,” he said.

Local church leaders say fear is already altering daily life. Deacon Rigoberto Leyva, dir

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