Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said June 16 that his recent virtual message to 2020 graduates — posted on YouTube and shared on social media — is “a sign of these unusual times” amid the coronavirus.
USCCB
HHS Rule Helps ‘Restore Rights of Health Care Providers,’ Say Bishops
The chairmen of three U.S. bishops’ committees welcomed a final rule implemented by the Trump administration June 12 to restore “the long-standing position of the federal government that discrimination on the basis of ‘sex’ means just that and does not refer to ‘termination of pregnancy’ nor ‘gender identity.'”
USCCB President ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Court’s LGBT Ruling
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he is “deeply concerned” that by ruling federal law protects LGBT workers from discrimination, the U.S. Supreme Court “has effectively redefined the legal meaning of ‘sex’ in our nation’s civil rights law.”
Financial Fallout From Pandemic, Recession Causes Catholic Schools to Close
More than 100 Catholic elementary and secondary schools nationwide are expected to close by the fall, largely because of financial challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic recession.
Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
“We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice,” says the statement.
Bishops’ Conference Refers Dioceses to Resources on Public Mass, Sacraments
The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship has sent a memo to fellow bishops offering links to resources for parishes to review as they prepare to offer the public celebration of Mass and the sacraments.
Catholic Events Canceled, Moved Online in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic
The best-laid plans of Catholics across the country have been upended, as colleges and universities are now canceling commencement ceremonies and a range of high profile conference and gatherings have been nixed, postponed, or switched to new formats as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Church Leaders Urge That Migrants Not Be Forgotten During Coronavirus Pandemic
Catholic leaders across the globe are pleading that migrants and refugees not be forgotten during the COVID-19 pandemic, insisting that it’s a public health issue affecting everyone – regardless of one’s legal status.
Catholic Leaders Praise Abolition of Death Penalty in Colorado
Catholic leaders are cheering Colorado’s abolition of the death penalty – a move they say is fueled by new momentum following the revision to the Catholic Catechism to officially ban the practice and one that signals a westward expansion in the U.S. of the death penalty’s repeal.
Child Protection Pioneer McChesney to Receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal
Kathleen McChesney, a leading trailblazer in the fight against clergy abuse, will receive the highest honor in the U.S. Catholic Church.