January 10, 2026
The Sacerdotus Ministry, rooted in the Catholic tradition of defending the sanctity of human life, mourns the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, U.S. citizen, poet, and advocate for her community. Her life was precious, created in the image and likeness of God, and her loss is a profound sorrow for her family, including her wife Becca, her children, and all who knew her. Every human life matters, and no death should be celebrated or dismissed lightly.
At the same time, we affirm the inherent dignity and right to self-defense of those who serve in law enforcement, including ICE agents. The Fifth Commandment—"Thou shalt not kill"—applies universally, protecting both the vulnerable and those entrusted with upholding the law in dangerous situations. Law enforcement officers are not exempt from this dignity; they too are human beings facing real threats, often in high-stress encounters.
Initial bystander videos of the January 7, 2026, incident in Minneapolis showed an ICE agent at the driver's side window and another near the front of Renee Good's Honda Pilot SUV, leading some—particularly those from left-leaning perspectives—to view the shooting as unnecessary or excessive. Conversely, voices on the right have justified the outcome, some even mocking the victim for her identity as a lesbian and her involvement in protesting immigration policies. Such polarization, fueled by confirmation bias and echo chambers on social media, distorts the truth and hardens hearts.
We urge all people of goodwill to set aside preconceived narratives and examine the emerging evidence objectively. Newly released footage, including a 47-second cell phone video recorded by the agent himself, shows the vehicle accelerating forward after tense exchanges, with the agent positioned in its path. Reports indicate that Renee drove into the agent, striking him, while her wife reportedly encouraged her with words like "Drive, baby, drive." In that critical moment, the agent faced an imminent threat from a moving vehicle, which can be used as a deadly weapon. Under established U.S. law, officers have the right to use deadly force in self-defense when they reasonably fear for their life or serious bodily harm. There is no disputing this legal principle.
Some Catholic pundits even claimed that the tires should have been shot at instead. This is easier said than done. From the position the officer was in, he could not see the tires. It is difficult for anyone to shoot a moving object. Moreover, shooting tires does nothing to stop a vehicle.
Tragically, both the collision and the shooting occurred, resulting in Renee Good's death and serious injury to the agent. We now have a grieving family without a mother and wife, and an ICE agent facing intense public scrutiny and what some have described as a lynch mob. This outcome is heartbreaking for all involved. While Renee did not deserve to die, her actions—along with those aiding her in the vehicle—placed her in a perilous situation that escalated rapidly.
From the available videos and reports, the agent's use of force appears justified under the circumstances. This assessment does not mean Renee "deserved" death, nor does it diminish the value of her life. Her life mattered deeply, as does the life of every person caught in such conflicts.
We also address calls from some Catholics for Pope Leo XIV to excommunicate Vice President JD Vance over his public comments on the incident. These demands are premature and unwarranted. Vice President Vance, a fellow Catholic, has not manifested formal heresy or publicly stated anything contrary to the essential teachings of the faith. His conservative views on issues like abortion and immigration enforcement may at times diverge from certain applications of Church social doctrine, but in this case, he offered an opinion based on the videos widely available to the public, defending the agent's actions as self-defense. Such expressions, even if strongly worded, do not rise to the level of canonical offenses requiring excommunication.
Immigration remains one of the most emotionally charged and complex issues of our time. The Church teaches that nations have a right to secure borders while upholding the dignity of migrants, refugees, and all persons. We call for rationality, civility, and compassion from both sides. Immigrants, legal residents, protesters, and ICE agents are all human beings deserving of respect and dignity. Let us pray for healing, justice through due process, and an end to division that pits neighbor against neighbor.
May God grant eternal rest to Renee Nicole Good, comfort to her family, and wisdom to our leaders and citizens as we navigate these difficult days.
In Christ,
The Sacerdotus Ministry
