The U.S. bishops’ conference point person for the preparatory period of the Synod on Synodality has welcomed the Vatican’s extension of the diocesan phase after what in many places was considered a rushed start to the opening on Oct. 17.
USCCB
Bishops Urge Senate to Include Pro-Life Provisions in Appropriations Bills
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued their statement in response to the Senate committee’s action.
Bishops Call Attacks on U.S. Catholic Sites ‘Acts of Hate’ That Must Stop
The Oct. 10 vandalization of Denver’s cathedral basilica that resulted in satanic and other “hateful graffiti” being scrawled on its doors and at least one statue brought to 100 the number of incidents of arson, vandalism and other destruction that have taken place at Catholic sites across the United States since May 2020.
U.S. Bishops Say 100 Acts of Anti-Catholic Vandalism Since May 2020
An Oct. 10 vandalism of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado, was the 100th incident of destruction to Catholic sites in the U.S. since the U.S. Bishops Conference began tracking the phenomenon in May 2020.
Head of U.S. Bishops Says Hierarchy Not Divided, Even if They ‘Have Opinions’
Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, believes that the two-year synodal process launched by Pope Francis last weekend is a “good opportunity” for the universal Church.
Bishop Praises House Members for Proposing Citizenship Path for Immigrants
The U.S. bishops’ migration committee chairman Sept. 15 welcomed a move by House members to include language in the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill to provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and other immigrants.
Biden Administration Sues Texas Over New Pro-Life ‘Heartbeat’ Law
The Biden administration could sue the state of Texas over its new abortion law as early as today, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
USCCB Launches Initiative to Address Polarization in U.S. Society
Polarization across society has prompted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to launch an initiative that looks to bring people together to serve the common good. The effort draws heavily from the teachings of Pope Francis, particularly his call in the third encyclical of his papacy, “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship.”
U.S. Bishops’ Labor Day Statement Calls for Economy That Works for All
Despite some job gains, the statement noted that the unemployment rate in July, at 5.4%, was higher than the 3.5% unemployment rate in February 2020.
Cuban American Bishops Express Solidarity, Call for Humanitarian Aid
Four Cuban American bishops called on the international community to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba and expressed solidarity with them following protests that erupted on the island nation starting July 11.