(RNS) — On June 22, the morning after President Donald Trump announced U.S. forces had bombed several nuclear sites in Iran, Archbishop Timothy Broglio issued two responses, one for each of the two hats he wears — president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and as archbishop for the U.S. military services.
As USCCB president, Broglio wrote, “we beg Almighty God to end the proliferation of acts of war and to inspire dialogue before more innocent people are harmed.” As shepherd for service members, he shared his prayers for them, their families and peace.
But on the use of troops to enforce immigration policy and mass deportations, Broglio has shied away from criticizing the commander-in-chief or the uniformed leadership, revealing the tricky position of occupying two roles that have never been held by the same man.
Since Trump took office in late January, he has sent thousands of service members to guard the southern border; worked toward using military bases as detention centers, including sending migrants to Guantánamo Bay; deployed the military to respond to protests against deportations in Los Angeles; and explored involving the National Guard in interior immigration enforcement.
A clergy person addresses protesters as California National Guardsmen stand in line in front of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
While there is certainly precedent for deploying military support for border operations and for housing migrants on military bases, Pope Francis left no doubt that he saw the Trump administration’s immigration policy as contrary to church teaching, and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, has signaled his agreement. As then-President-elect Trump outlined his plans for mass deportatio …