Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory made the comments in the homily at an evening Mass said to commemorate a "Day of Prayer and Penance" for victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.

Catholic bishops pledged to be more proactive in laying out a vision for comprehensive immigration reform.

Live updates from Indianapolis as the bishops gather for their annual spring meeting.

Local law enforcement and local jurisdictions should not be required to enforce federal immigration law, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo said.

Some of the issues on the bishops’ agenda—immigration and health care specifically—have already caused a great deal of tension between the White House and Catholic leaders.

"Whoever was opposed to Bishop Okpaleke taking possession of the diocese wants to destroy the church. This is forbidden," the pope said.