Pastoral Letter Following the Murder of Alex Jeffrey Pretti
January 25, 2026
Dear Beloved in Christ,
It is with broken hearts that we write to you once again. Just weeks after
we shared our sorrow over the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good on
January 7, 2026, by a Federal ICE (Immigration and Customs
Enforcement) Agent. We are compelled to mourn another tragic loss —
the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and devoted
caregiver, who was shot and killed by a Federal Border Patrol Agent in
Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 24, 2026. Both incidents reveal the
lawlessness and brutality that has characterized the behavior of federal
agents over the past year.
Our hearts ache not only for the families of Renée and Alex, but for the
wounds inflicted upon our communities when those entrusted with
safeguarding life instead take it. We remember Alex as one who dedicated
his life to healing the sick, caring for veterans, and uplifting those in need.
At the time of his death, bystander accounts affirm that he was acting to
protect the safety and dignity of others when he was confronted and
fatally shot by federal agents.
As followers of Christ, we are reminded of the eternal wisdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who taught us plainly: “So whatever you wish that
others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the
prophets.” (Matthew 7:12). In these words, Christ calls us to treat every
human being with dignity, mercy, and compassion — especially in times
of conflict and fear.
The prophet Micah also guides our hearts and our actions: “He has told
you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6:8). These sacred words challenge us to seek justice for the
oppressed, to embody mercy in our relationships with one another, and to
draw near to God in humility and truth.
Catholic Social Teaching calls us to seek the dignity and good of every
person, which includes protection of fundamental human rights by public
authorities. The ongoing aggression and hostility of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol Agents — including the
aggression and hostility that resulted in the deaths of Renée Good and
Alex Pretti — must come to an end. Such acts of force and violence are
not compatible with the vision of human dignity and respect that God
calls us to uphold.
We therefore call upon our elected officials and all in positions of power
at the federal level to urgently re-examine policies and practices that place
lives at risk and to pursue reforms that protect human life, promote trust,
and ensure peace within our communities.
We call on the United States Congress, especially the US Senate, whose
choice to advance the funding bill lies before them this week, to suspend
all funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
In this time of grief and reflection, we invite all who are able to join in a
spirit of mourning, prayer, and discernment at the National Faith Call to
Action event this evening. This gathering offers us the opportunity not
only to mourn together, but to seek the Lord’s guidance on how we might
respond with courage, mercy, and faithful action. Information to join is
available at bit.ly/nationalfaithcalltoaction.
We call upon all the faithful for Christian witness. Our hearts ache not
only for Renee and Alex, but for communities and lives that have been
shattered by the current administration's violence. Let us pray for an end
to violence in all its forms, for the consolation of grieving hearts, and for
the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be instruments of justice and
peace in our broken world.
May the peace of Christ — the Prince of Peace — dwell richly in our
hearts.
In Christ our Savior,
The College of Bishops, Catholic Apostolic Church in North America