LEARN HOW WE’RE IMPACTING COMMUNITIES
Looking for resources to support your faith journey or empower your work as an organizer? Our Resource Library has lots of tools for reflection, learning, and action!
Chicago Catholic - Catholics gather for teach-in on standing with immigrants
On October 3, 2026, CSPL co-hosted City of Welcome: A Teach-in on Catholic Solidarity and the Journey of Migration along with Old. St. Pat’s, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph. Exodus World Service, and the Sanctuary Working Group also led workshops.
America Magazine - St. Louis archdiocese sues DHS and ICE to bring sacraments to immigrant detainees
Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, executive director of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, comments on the Archdiocese of St. Louis lawsuit filed against ICE/DHS, pointing out that ICE’s national detention manual outlines policies meant to allow access for religious services from clergy and ministers outside the detention facilities themselves and for one-on-one spiritual counseling.
Chicago SunTimes Letter to the Editors - Philanthropists Can Give More to Protect Immigrants
Letter to the Editors by Jessica Darrow, associate instructional professor, University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and board member, Wieboldt Foundation
America Magazine - In Chicago, a Catholic community organizer is using faith to resist ICE
CSPL Director of Training and Formation Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez sits down with America Magazine to talk about her organizing and discernment journey, from the founding CSPL to the current moment in the wake of Operation Midway Blitz.
Chicago Sun Times - Misa en honor a Silverio Villegas González en el primer aniversario de su asesinato por ICE
CSPL members and institutional members took part in the first annual memorial mass honoring Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who was killed by ICE last year during a traffic stop.
The Catholic Observer - Under Pope Leo XIV, MAGA Country Catholics Are Standing Up to Trump
“The bishops, priests, nuns — and most importantly — lay women and men of Trump country did not wait for the instruction; they have been living it since the first week of January.”
Ignatian Solidarity Network - IFTJ 2026: Keynote Preview with Michael Okinczyc-Cruz
“As we were dreaming up CSPL, we didn’t just incorporate the methodologies of community organizing, the importance of coalition building, grassroots leadership development… What was equally important to us was that we engage in spiritual and theological formation as well.”
Block Club Chicago - ICE Arrests Are On The Rise Again In Chicago. Here’s What Immigrants Need To Know
“The most essential part of what we do, I believe, is just listen. We listen to their stories, we let them talk about the traumas they’re going through. This type of care restores a bit of human dignity,” Tomy said.
Praying with LGBTQ Catholics: An immersive liturgical experience
A reflection by CSPL Intern, Alex Gruber, on their experience as a panelist for the Outreach Conference session, “Praying with LGBTQ Catholics: An immersive liturgical experience.”
BBC - Fr Paul Keller, CMF featured by BBC 4's Sunday special: One year of Pope Leo XIV
Fr. Paul Keller, Provincial Superior of the Claretian Missionaries USA-Canada Province, is featured on BBC Radio4’s long-running religious affairs program Sunday, presented by Edward Stourton.
Chicago Catholic - Jesus Will Follow You Home
A reflection by Father John Kartje for the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 7, 2026
The detention center in Broadview is relatively quiet these days. But last fall it was roiling with the confrontation between protesters and federal agents, while endless convoys of unmarked SUVs with their human cargo rolled in and out of the gates.
Video: Holy Resistance/Resistencia Sagrada
This powerful video by Truth & Documentary reminds us of the many forms holy resistance has taken over the past year, over which 10,000 members showed up in solidarity with our immigrant sibling facing terror, detention, and deportation.
Photo Gallery: Congress for Spiritual and Public Leadership 2026
More than 250 people attended the 2026 Congress for Spiritual and Public Leadership. A full photo gallery by Bryan Sebastian is available here!
Podcast: 'We need people of good faith to be engaged,' says John Dominic Crossan
"The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast," with Scripture scholar John Dominic Crossan along with Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, about their new book, Jesus and Justice: Organizing for God's Reign on Earth Then and Now.
Chicago SunTimes - Meeting Pope Leo was a humbling, deeply moving experience, say Chicago faith leaders
On Thursday, May 28, CSPL’s Executive Director Michael Okińczyc-Cruz, and Fr. Juan Vargas, a member of CSPL’s Clergy Council, joined the Chicago Delegation to the Vatican, and met with Pope Leo XIV, who blessed stoles for ministry at the Broadview ICE facility.
Media Coverage - Faith Leaders Allowed Daily Access to Broadview ICE Facility Under New Agreement
Community leaders from the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership announced they reached an agreement with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to allow daily pastoral visits inside the west suburban facility. Those visits began last Friday.
“This agreement represents a recognition of the human dignity and basic human rights of our detained sisters and brothers,” CSPL Executive Director Michael N. Okińczyc-Cruz said in a statement.
MEDIA RELEASE: Agreement Reached With Federal Government for Daily Pastoral Access At Broadview ICE Facility
Daily pastoral visits to the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview began Friday, May 15 under a landmark agreement between faith and grassroots community leaders of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE.
New York Times - Catholic Clergy Can Minister Within Illinois ICE Facility After Legal Agreement
Daily pastoral visits to the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview began Friday, May 15 under a landmark agreement between faith and grassroots community leaders of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE.
Commonweal Podcast - Catholicism and Community Organizing
Besides explaining the history of organizing in America, and arguing for its necessity, Nicholas Hayes-Mota and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz share how organizing can also help the Catholic Church advocate for justice and peace throughout the world.
Video: Rev. David Inczuaskis, SJ on Pope Leo’s Messaging on the war in Iran
Rev. David Inczuaskis, SJ appears on WTTW and responds to Pope Leo’s words on the Iran War.