Earlier this year, the bishops voted to approve convening this June meeting in a virtual format given the challenges of meeting in person with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
USCCB to Celebrate Religious Freedom Week
Religious Freedom Week will be observed this year from June 22 to June 29 and the theme chosen is Solidarity in Freedom.
USCCB President Explains How Planned Discussion on Eucharist Was Set
After receiving an unprecedented letter from 67 bishops appealing for a delay in a discussion during the bishops’ upcoming spring general assembly on whether to prepare a teaching document on the reception of Communion, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ president explained in a memo the procedure followed in bringing the question to a vote during the June 16-18 virtual meeting.
California Bishop Prays For Victims Of ‘Senseless’ San Jose Shooting
San Jose Bishop Oscar Cantú urged prayers for the victims and their families after a gunman opened fire the morning of May 26 at a rail yard operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, or VTA, north of downtown San Jose.
Seminaries Commit To Benchmarks On Sexual Misconduct Policies
Fifteen prominent North American seminaries have committed to meeting a series of sexual misconduct policy benchmarks in hopes the move will inspire others to follow suit and to reinforce policies already in place.
New Catechist Ministry Shows Evangelization at Heart of Church, U.S. Leaders Say
The U.S. Bishops Conference chairman of evangelization and catechesis is calling the Vatican’s recently instituted ministry of the catechist a “beautiful thing” to try to evangelize an increasingly secularized nation.
Cardinal Ladaria Cautions U.S. Bishops on Politicians and Communion
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has urged the U.S. bishops to proceed with caution in their discussions about formulating a national policy “to address the situation of Catholics in public office who support legislation allowing abortion, euthanasia or other moral evils.”
President Biden’s First 100 Days Receive Mixed Reviews From Catholics
The Catholic electorate gives mixed reviews on President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office. Issues of concern include his COVID-19 response, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and religious freedom.
Archbishop in SF Says No to Communion for Pro-Choice Catholics
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has become the latest American bishop to advocate barring Catholic public figures who support abortion rights from communion, as the debate on the topic continues to grow since President Joe Biden, the country’s second Catholic president and a pro-choice Democrat, took office.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann Labels Abortion Pill Policy Change ‘Dangerous’
The chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities described a recent FDA decision to stop enforcing the “in-person dispensing requirement” for the abortion pill as “dangerous.”