Visa delay causes priest to return to Philippines

Friday, Apr. 19, 2024

SANDY — Father  Rodelio Ignacio, who came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2019, is returning to the Philippines because his religious visa is expiring. He submitted it for renewal at the end of 2022 and was told the process should take about eight months, but even now, 15 months later, it has not been renewed.

Last year, changes to national immigration policies caused delays in the granting and renewal of religious visas; according to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the State Department allows only those religious workers who have an approved 1-360 petition dated before Sept. 1, 2018 to apply for a green card. This has created a backlog in the processing of green card applications and a delay in visa renewals.

When he first arrived in Utah, Fr. Ignacio was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in West Haven for a few months, then served at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and St. Lawrence Mission in Heber. In 2022 he was assigned as administrator of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy.

Although he has been with the Blessed Sacrament community for less than two years, “this parish, in that time, has absolutely fallen in love with you,” said parishioner Michelle Beasley at the farewell reception on April 13. Her words were greeted with applause and calls of “yes” from those gathered.

“And the reason it was so easy and simple is because we see Christ in you,” Beasley added.

Fr. Ignacio arrived at the parish as the restrictions from the Covid pandemic were ending. The parish had no altar servers and was encouraging people to return to in-person Mass, Beasley said, but at this year’s Easter vigil there were six altar servers. The parish now also has new lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist, she said.

“There are times where … we are praying and singing so much, because we’re so joyful, the liturgy is so fulfilling, and you have brought that to us. Thanks be to God. … We are so sad, we are devastated to lose you. We pray that you will have a wonderful trip back home. … We will miss you terribly.”

After those gathered toasted Fr. Ignacio, he told them, “You are a blessing to me.” 

When he first came to the parish, he was nervous because he had no experience as a pastor, and he also was worried that people might not understand his accent, he said. “I really prayed to the Holy Spirit to give me the grace of understanding because of my accent, so I thank God that many of you – probably most of you – understand me now, not because my English is improving but because probably the Holy Spirit gave you that gift.” 

Fr. Ignacio wanted to share his spirituality with the parish, so he began a regular Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and offered the Sacrament of Confession more often. He also planned to have Morning Prayer before the daily Mass, but the books have not yet arrived, he said. 

“When I first heard that I had to go home … I was very sad when I heard that,” he said, adding that the delay in the visa renewal will require him to stay in the Philippines for one year, but if his green card is approved he can return before then.

“Now I feel at peace and I’m not worrying about anything because I believe that everything has a purpose,” he said. “God has a plan for me that I cannot see right now.” 

He complimented the parishioners, saying he tells other priests that “you are really amazing, very welcoming, very loving, so I really appreciate that, and that is what I will miss and that will make me sad. … You will always be in my prayers and in my heart.”

The parish’s Knights of Columbus council also will miss Fr. Ignacio, who is their chaplain, said John Wainscott, one of the Knights, because the priest is “so fully supportive of all of our activities and all that we want to accomplish within the parish and even outside the parish.”

In an interview, Fr. Ignacio said the people in Utah give him happiness, and his prayer is that the whole community reaches heaven. “I am hoping to journey with them,” he said. “I don’t want anyone to be left behind.” 

The parish now will be served by Fr. Carlos Guzman, RCJ and Fr. Ryan Jimenez, RCJ. The two Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus priests arrived in Utah from the Philippines in March.

 Changes to national immigration policies that occurred last year are causing delays in religious visas. According to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the State Department allows only those religious workers who have an approved 1-360 petition dated before Sept. 1, 2018 to apply for a green card. This has created a backlog in the processing of green card applications and a delay in visa renewals.

Local Catholics can urge Congress to address this problem by contacting their congressional representatives. A sample letter follows.

Dear [Senator or Representative]

I am writing to ask that Congress please address the impacts of the changes to the immigration visa category on religious workers. 

Priests and other religious workers from other countries provide crucial services and spiritual support to Catholic communities here in Utah and throughout the United States. 

Our parishes here in Utah do not have enough priests to serve our needs, and one of our priests recently had to return to his home country because he was unable to get his visa renewed in a timely manner. We have another priest who is facing the same issue.

As I understand it, a change in the law last year resulted in extended wait times for visa renewal. Please ask your fellow congressional members to shorten the requirement for priests to stay one year outside the United States before they return, or make other changes that will allow foreign priests and religious workers to more easily renew their visas or obtain permanent residence status.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

CONTACT:

Sen. Mike Lee 801-524-5933

https://www.lee.senate.gov/contact  

Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building

125 S. State St., Suite 4225

Salt Lake City, UT 84138

Sen. Mitt Romney 801-524-4380

https://www.romney.senate.gov/contact-senator-romney/ 

125 S. State St. Suite 8402

Salt Lake City, UT 84138

Congressional representatives will only respond to requests from constituents in their district. Visit https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp for contact information for your representative.