U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Catholic bishops back Obama acting alone on immigration
By David Gibson — November 12, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) Given the urgency of the immigration crisis and the electoral gains by Republicans who have thwarted earlier reform efforts, “it would be derelict not to support administrative actions … which would provide immigrants and their families legal protection," a leading bishop said.
US bishops try to capture some of Pope Francis’ media mojo
By David Gibson — November 11, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) A new study presented to U.S. Catholic bishops showed that the Catholic Church is seen as “judgmental,” and that finger-wagging attitude is the biggest sin in the view of many lay people.
U.S. Catholic bishops grapple with adapting their agenda to Pope Francis’ priorities
By David Gibson — November 10, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) Pope Francis' change in focus has unsettled a number of American bishops more used to a hierarchy oriented toward hot-button culture war issues. Adapting to a new agenda is the focus of this week's bishops' meeting.
Cardinal: Pope Francis wants no ‘self pitying church’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 7, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Cardinal Walter Kasper, known as "the pope's theologian," says critics shouldn't fear Pope Francis' focus on mercy.
Pope Francis names Spokane bishop to Chicago, dashing conservative hopes
By David Gibson — September 19, 2014
(RNS) The appointment of Bishop Blase Cupich, a prelate closely identified with the Catholic Church’s progressive wing, to succeed Cardinal Francis George could upend decades of conservative dominance of the American hierarchy.
Catholic bishops, Becket Fund slam newest HHS contraception mandate rules
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — August 22, 2014
(RNS) The newest revision by the Obama administration still doesn't satisfy some religious groups' objections.
Pope Francis: End the ‘racist and xenophobic’ approach to migrants along U.S.-Mexico border
By Josephine McKenna — July 15, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes," Pope Francis said of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.
San Francisco archbishop defends decision to join D.C. rally against gay marriage
By David Gibson — June 17, 2014
(RNS) "If the point of this event were to single out a group of individuals and target them for hatred, I most certainly would not be there,” wrote San Francisco Achbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who leads the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic bishops push (again) on immigration reform
By Heather Adams — May 29, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said bishops wanted to tell some of the stories from a border Mass to humanize the immigration debate because “when there’s a faceless person, it’s easy to reject or ignore or put aside that person.”
ANALYSIS: Can Pope Francis help ‘reset’ frayed ties between Obama and the Catholic bishops?
By David Gibson — March 24, 2014
(RNS) The potential for a robust alliance between the White House and the nation's largest church fizzled almost from the start of Obama’s candidacy in 2007, and a relationship that started badly went downhill when he was elected.
COMMENTARY: Pope Francis’ first year: An assessment
By Joseph Kurtz — March 10, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pope Francis speaks in a fresh and creative yet very simple style. And like Jesus, he uses images that people understand while communicating profound theological truth.
More protests over Koch gift to Catholic University of America
By David Gibson — February 11, 2014
(RNS) A group of leading Catholic activists and academics has renewed its criticisms of Catholic University of America over a large gift from the billionaire industrialist and conservative funder Charles Koch, and over statements that seemed to endorse Koch’s stands against climate change and the right of public workers to unionize.
COMMENTARY: The Catholic case for contraception coverage
By Jon O'Brien — January 23, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Institutions -- both secular and “religious institutions,” as well as “religious organizations” -- do not have the right to claim “consciences” in order to trample on the conscience rights that properly belong to their employees.
COMMENTARY: Why we’re resisting the contraception mandate
By Joseph Kurtz — January 6, 2014
(RNS) If ministries don't comply with the government's contraception mandate, the financial penalties will mean that some ministries may have to close their doors. As that happens, the poor and those who serve them will be hurt the most.
The Rev. Bob Nugent, silenced for his work with gay Catholics, dies at 76
By Kevin Eckstrom — January 2, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The scrutiny of the Rev. Bob Nugent's activism symbolized the Vatican's approach to all talk of homosexuality under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI compared with the more tolerant "who am I to judge?" tone set recently by Pope Francis.
