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It’s a rare step for a bishop to excuse congregants indefinitely from Sunday mass, said Brett Hoover, professor of theology at Loyola Marymount University.

Most seem to understand the dangers of losing their independence or angering their congregants.

A congregant in his late 20s who has leukemia postponed his chemotherapy, afraid he could be caught and deported to Guatemala.

A 2021 report from Barna Group revealed that white practicing Christians remained unlikely to recognize past or continuing racial discrimination, cross-racial relationships continued surface level and Black congregants experienced racial slights in these multiracial spaces.

The updated laws come partly in response to recent demonstrations near synagogues that have "caused the cancellation of events" and dissuaded congregants from travelling to worship, the Home Office said.