(RNS) As the nation's Catholic bishops gather in Baltimore next week, they will be facing questions about how they will cope with the re-election of President Obama. But also looming is the question of how they will deal with Bishop Robert Finn of Missouri, who in September became the first bishop found guilty of covering up for a priest suspected of child abuse. By David Gibson.

(RNS) A series of recent developments are renewing concerns that the Catholic bishops are tilting toward the Republican Party, with much of the attention focusing on comments by a leading prelate, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said he “certainly can’t vote for somebody who’s either pro-choice or pro-abortion.” By David Gibson.

NEW YORK (RNS) In a move that could recast the reigning political narrative about the bishops and the election, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has accepted an invitation to deliver the closing benediction at the Democratic National Convention, a week after he gives a similar blessing to the Republicans in Tampa. By David Gibson. 

(RNS) Assessing a decade of efforts by the Catholic hierarchy to defuse the clergy abuse scandal, the leader of a lay review board on Wednesday (June 13) warned the bishops that they must start to follow their own policies against child sexual abuse if they are to have any hope of restoring their fragile credibility. By David Gibson.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Episcopal bishops are asking the president to intervene after a UN agency allegedly cut support for a church-run hospital in the Gaza Strip. By Chris Lisee.