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Marriage, the life-long and exclusive union of one man and one woman, is the most time-honored and time-tested institution on the planet. Marriage is the heart of the family and is crucial for the good of society. Questions about the meaning of marriage and challenges to marriage and the family surface at various levels today. Marriage: Unique for a Reason, an initiative of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, is meant to assist Catholics in understanding the unchangeable meaning of marriage--why marriage is and can only be the union of one man and one woman.
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WASHINGTON— As chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City applauded the July 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to halt some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona SB 1070 from going into effect the next day. Bishop Wester lamented the status quo on immigration as “unacceptable” and called for the Federal government to act immediately on immigration reform.
U.S. Bishops Send More Help to the Church in Haiti
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Bishops’ Subcommittee dedicated to administering money raised for Haiti after the earthquake there last January has approved $212,700 of funding for 10 projects. The grants were made from the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America to programs and agencies sponsored by parishes, religious orders and dioceses in Haiti. These grants do not include funding for construction projects, which will be considered according to a separate procedure.
WASHINGTON— Following public criticisms of new federally-funded health insurance plans that would have covered elective abortions in Pennsylvania and New Mexico, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement that the agency will act to exclude abortion from this program. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, welcomed the statement as averting an “alarming precedent” and called for permanent law to exclude abortion from all programs under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
WASHINGTON—Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, Chairman of the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded to a clarification from the Vatican that raised the attempted ordination of a women to a “more grave delict,” or a Church crime that is always referred to the Holy See, in a July 15 statement.
The archbishop’s full statement follows:
Bishops Welcome Update of Vatican Norms on Sexual Abuse
WASHINGTON-Bishop Blase Cupich, bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, and bishop-designate of Spokane, Washington, and Chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Protection of Children and Young People, welcomed the Vatican’s update of its 2001 norms dealing with clergy sexual abuse of minors in a July 15 statement. The new norms include the abuse of a mentally disabled adult and the downloading of child pornography in the same category as abusing a minor and also extend the Vatican’s statute of limitations for sexual abuse to 20 years after the victim turned 18.
Tucson Bishop Kicanas Testifies Before Congress, Urges Federal Action on Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON—Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, Vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, testified before Congress on the ethical imperative for reform of the U.S. immigration system. He spoke July 14, before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Pope Erects Exarchate For Syro-Malankara Catholics In U.S.; Names Priest From India As First Bishop
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has erected an Apostolic Exarchate for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the United States and appointed Father Thomas Naickamparampil as its first bishop. The pope also appointed him Apostolic Visitator for the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Canada and Europe.
The erection of the exarchate and appointments were publicized in Washington, July 14, by Msgr. Jean-François Lantheaume, Chargé d’Affaires, at the apostolic nunciature in the United States.
World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid Opens Registration
WASHINGTON—Registration to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid 2011 is now open. Though the registration is done online with the WYD organization in the Spanish capital, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has updated its existing World Youth Day page (www.wydusa.org) to allow access to the registration process through its Web site. The site includes links to important information regarding the event. Content will be progressively built up as additional information becomes available.
Bishops Concerned Over Federal Court Rulings Rejecting Marriage as Between One Man, One Woman
WASHINGTON—Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, expressed grave concern regarding recent rulings by a federal judge in Massachusetts rejecting the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Archbishop Kurtz offered his remarks after two rulings on July 8 that held that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Section 3 provides that for purposes of federal statutes, regulations, and rulings, “marriage” means the legal union of one man and one woman.
Methodist-Catholic Dialogue Looks at Environment, Eucharist
WASHINGTON— Scholars from the Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church (UMC) discussed the relationship between the environment and Eucharist at the fourth session of the seventh round of the Catholic-Methodist dialogue, June 28-30, in Washington.
Pope Accepts Resignation of Hartford Auxiliary Bishop Rosazza
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Hartford Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, 75, from the office of auxiliary bishop.
Pope Names Bishop Cupich to Spokane, Accepts Resignation of Bishop Skylstad
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop Blase Cupich, 61, of Rapid City, South Dakota, to the Diocese of Spokane, Washington, and accepted the resignation of Bishop William Skylstad, 76, from pastoral governance of the diocese.
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Father Arthur Kennedy, 68, and Father Peter J. Uglietto, 58, priests of the Archdiocese of Boston and both seminary rectors, as auxiliary bishops of Boston. The pope also accepted the resignation of Boston Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Allué, SDB, 75, from the office of auxiliary bishop.
Bishops Urge Senate to Remove Abortion Amendment from Defense Bill
WASHINGTON—A Senate committee amendment that would authorize the performance of elective abortions at military hospitals in this country and around the world is “misguided” and should be removed from the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 3454), said the Chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. In a June 29 letter, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston urged Senators to remove this amendment on the grounds that it breaks with longstanding federal and military policies on government promotion of abortion.
Bishops' Committee Launches New Initiative, Marriage: Unique for a Reason
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage has launched a new initiative for the protection of marriage, entitled Marriage: Unique for a Reason. The initiative is to help catechize and educate Catholics on the meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The Distinction between Direct Abortion and Legitimate Medical Procedures
Committee on Doctrine, June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Joseph McFadden, 63, as Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and named Msgr. Michael Fitzgerald, 62, Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Philadelphia, as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia.
New Website Highlights Catholic Church’s Significant Role in Immigration Debate for Almost a Century
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS) has partnered with The Catholic University of America to develop an educational Website that highlights the significant role that the U.S. Catholic bishops and the institutional Church in the United States have played on immigration related issues, especially since the early twentieth century. The Website, “U.S. Catholic Bishops and Immigration,” can be found at http://libraries.cua.edu/achrcua/packets.html.
Bishops Express Prayers, Solidarity for Those Harmed by Oil Spill
WASHINGTON—While meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida, for prayer and reflection, on June 18, the U.S. bishops voiced their prayers and solidarity for those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
WASHINGTON—The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities voiced “grave concern” to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its move toward approving a new drug that may induce early abortions as an “emergency contraceptive.” In a June 17 letter to Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the FDA, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston criticized the FDA’s move to hold an advisory committee meeting on the drug Ulipristal “without broad public input or a full record on the drug’s safety for women or their unborn children.”
Apostleship Of The Sea Sets Up Network, Urges Catholics To Assist Those Harmed By Oil Spill
WASHINGTON—The overseer of the maritime ministry of the U.S. bishops expressed solidarity with those impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and announced the creation of a network to help with the human and environmental harm caused by the disaster.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Catholic Campaign for Human Development approved grants up to $300,000 to assist people and dioceses affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Meeting June 12, the Subcommittee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development approved these funds outside of the regular funding cycle of the Campaign in order to help low-income people and vulnerable communities impacted by the oil spill to have an effective voice in shaping the response to this terrible challenge.
Regional Bishops Issue Joint Statement on Migration
WASHINGTON—Participants at the Catholic bishops' Regional Consultation on Migration in Washington, June 2-4 issued a joint statement calling for protection, hospitality, service and justice to immigrants throughout the hemisphere.
Full Video, Text Of Canon Law Seminar On Abuse Available Online
WASHINGTON—Video and print resources from the Canon Law Seminar for Media, explaining the Church’s processes for dealing with clergy sexual abuse of minors, are now available online at http://www.usccb.org/canonlawseminar/
Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop Callahan Named Bishop Of La Crosse
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI named Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop William P. Callahan, OFM, Conv., 59, as Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Book Explores What It Means to be Human in Light of Theology of the Body
WASHINGTON—“What does it mean to be human?” A new book by the priest who spearheads the evangelization and catechetical efforts of the U.S. bishops explores this question by drawing on the teachings of Pope John Paul II in his theology of the body. In The Human Person: According to John Paul II, published by Pauline Books and Media, Father J. Brian Bransfield examines the vision of humanity expressed by Pope John Paul II and uses it as the basis for a moral theology that offers practical guidance and support in living the Christian life.
Pope Names New Auxiliary Bishop for Philadelphia; Accepts Resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Maginnis
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. John J. McIntyre, 46, secretary to Cardinal Justin Rigali, as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia, and accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Maginnis, 76, from the office of auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia.
Pope Names President of Catholic University Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Vincentian Father David O’Connell, up until now President of The Catholic University of America, coadjutor bishop of Trenton, New Jersey. The appointment was publicized by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. As coadjutor, Bishop-elect O’Connell will automatically succeed Bishop John M. Smith of Trenton upon his retirement.
Bishops of the United States and Latin America will hold a media conference and issue a joint statement Thursday, June 3, at 1 p.m. at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Washington. The bishops will discuss the immigration debate, comprehensive immigration reform, Haiti reconstruction and other issues as part of the 2010 Regional Bishops’ Consultation on Migration.
West Coast Catholic-Muslim Dialogue Compares Sacred, Pious Writings
WASHNGTON—Catholics and Muslims compared sacred and pious writings at the 11th meeting of the West Coast Catholic-Muslim Dialogue, in Orange, California, May 19-20. The dialogue is co-sponsored by the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Islamic Shura Council of California, with the cooperation of the Islamic Society of Orange County (an affiliate of the Islamic Society of North America) and the Islamic Education Center of Orange County, which is in the Shia tradition of Islam.
Peter's Pence Collection Helps Needy People Around The World
WASHINGTON—The Peter’s Pence Collection will be taken up in most Catholic parishes the weekend of June 26 - 27. This year’s theme, “Cast the love of Christ upon the world,” focuses on the relationship between solidarity and love.
Generosity, Resilience, Education, Key Features of Permanent Deacons
WASHINGTON—A national survey of permanent diaconate offices in Catholic dioceses in the United States found that one-quarter of active permanent deacons (28 percent) have a graduate degree. Given that the diaconate is a ministry of service and charity, the vast majority of deacons are not paid for their ministry. Even still, their number continues to rise and they stay active for a very long time.
Pope Names Baltimore Priest as Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Military Services
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Father F. Richard Spencer, 58, a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and up until now vice commandant of the military chaplains of the U.S. Forces in Europe, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA, and Titular Bishop of Auzia.
Bishops Note Way Forward With Health Care, Clarify Misconceptions
WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops called for steps to protect the lives of the most vulnerable, provide fairness for immigrants and guarantee conscience protections for individual and institutions in a statement on health care reform issued May 21.
Bishops Urge Congress to Support Bill to Remedy Abortion, Conscience Flaws in Health Care Reform Law
WASHINGTON—Congress should support a bipartisan bill that will remedy the abortion and conscience flaws in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), according to the Chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. In a May 20 letter to Congress, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston said PPACA was an important step toward ensuring access to health coverage for all Americans but was “profoundly flawed in its treatment of abortion, conscience rights, and fairness to immigrants.”
2010 Catechetical Sunday Focuses On Marriage as a ‘Sacrament of Enduring Love’
WASHINGTON— This year’s Catechetical Sunday theme is “Matrimony: Sacrament of Enduring Love.” Materials for Catechetical Sunday 2010 are now available online at www.usccb.org/catecheticalsunday. Among the online materials, parishes participating in Catechetical Sunday can find prayer resources, art, catechist commissioning materials, plans for a catechist in-service, and an array of materials for teachers, pastors, catechists and others working with couples preparing for marriage.
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, and Archbishop Rafael Romo Muñoz of Tijuana, Mexico, head of the Mexican Episcopal Conference Migration Commission, issued May 19, a joint statement on the occasion of President Felipe Caderón of Mexico visit to the United States.
WASHINGTON—Individualism and porous boundaries mark today’s faith practice and religious identification, members of a Jewish-Catholic Dialogue heard at a recent meeting.
Regional Bishops Consultation On Migration To Meet June 2-4 In Washington
WASHINGTON—Representatives of bishops’ conferences of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other Latin American and Caribbean countries will convene June 2-4 in Washington for the 2010 Regional Bishops’ Consultation on Migration. Archbishop Antonio Maria Vegliò, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People at the Vatican, and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio to the United States, are also slated to attend.
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Jesuit Father James McCann, 61, as rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.
WASHINGTON—Interreligious education and the danger of stereotypes were discussed at the 14th annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Dialogue between Catholics and Muslims, in Somerset, NJ, May 5-6.
What National Review Board Learned From Child Sex Abuse Victims
WASHINGTON—Diane Knight, MSW, chair of the National Review Board of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, notes ten points that National Review Board members have learned in dealing with victim/survivors of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
WASHINGTON—The Office of Media Relations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers the following Q&A on Canon Law as it relates to sexual abuse of minors. This resource also can be found at: www.usccb.org/comm/q&a-canonical-process-sexual-abuse.pdf
Mass to Honor Mariners and People of the Sea at National Shrine in Washington
WASHINGTON— In observance of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and people of the Sea, a Mass will be celebrated May 22 at 12:10 PM at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (in the Crypt Church). The Mass is sponsored by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) and the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington will be the main celebrant and homilist.
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. Timothy Doherty, 59, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, in Dundee, Illinois, as Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana, and accepted the resignation of Bishop William Higi, 76, from pastoral governance of the diocese.
Pope Names Seminary Vice-Rector Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Father Eduardo A. Nevares, 56, Vice-Rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, and a priest of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, as Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix, assigning him the Titular See of Natchez.
Leaders at Cultural Diversity Convocation Send Letter of Support to Arizona Bishops on Immigration
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Catholic leaders from across the United States participating in the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, on the last day of their meeting, sent an open letter to the Catholic bishops of Arizona, expressing their support for the bishops’ leadership in raising opposition to Arizona Law SB 1070.
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta weighed in on the issues of unity and diversity in the Church during the homily, May 7, at a Mass for the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation at meeting at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
Bishops Thank Congress for Working on Extension and Improvement of Trade Preferences for Haiti
WASHINGTON—By extending and improving trade preferences for Haiti, Congress “will send a clear signal that the United States is prepared to take the necessary steps to improve the lives of thousands of Haitians both in the short-term and in the long-term,” said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y. In a May 4 letter, Bishop Hubbard, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, thanked the sponsors of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010 for introducing the bill (HR 5160 and S 3275) and called on the House and Senate to move swiftly to approve the legislation.
Unity in Diversity, Catholic Identity Key to U.S. Church Future
WASHINGTON—Building unity in diversity and linking it to a robust sense of Catholic identity for the sake of the Church’s future is the topic of the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation (CCDNC) that will meet later this week at the University of Notre Dame.
WASHINGTON—The Vatican has given its “recognitio,” or statement of acceptance, of the proposed U.S. version of the new edition of the Roman Missal. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) now must decide when to authorize its use in dioceses and parishes in the United States.
WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops called the introduction of a framework on immigration reform by Senate leadership, April 29, an “Important first step” in the process of achieving enactment of comprehensive reform legislation. The framework, developed by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and endorsed by Senate leadership, attempts to lay a road map for launching negotiations toward a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
Catholic Communication Campaign Collection Keeps Catholics Connected Through Digital Media
WASHINGTON—“Help Us Connect the World with God’s Word!” is the theme of the 2010 collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). The CCC Collection funds a variety of communications projects and this year’s campaign highlights efforts in digital and social media.
Students Who Attend Catholic High Schools More Likely To Graduate, Go To College, Report Finds
WASHINGTON—Students who attend Catholic high schools are more likely to graduate and attend college than students attending other schools, according to The Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing , United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 2009-2010, a report recently released by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Haiti, Chile, Clergy Education Receive Grants From Bishops’ Subcommittee On Latin America
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America has made public the grantees for its latest funding cycle. In total, $2,777,917 was approved for distribution among 128 projects in 23 countries. Of that amount, $972,869 went to help rebuild the Church’s infrastructure in earthquake ravaged Haiti and Chile. Clergy and religious formation took up the bulk of the remaining awards, while other catechesis and evangelization projects in Central and South America, and the Caribbean also benefitted.
WASHINGTON— In solidarity with the Catholic bishops of Arizona, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, issued a statement April 27, opposing the enactment and implementation of Arizona SB 1070, which criminalizes undocumented immigrants.
More USCCB News and Information
The mission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is to support the ministry of bishops with an emphasis on evangelization, by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing.
This mission calls the Conference to
