USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Current Press Releases

Current Press Releases

May 2008

Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Says Ten Commandments Can Provide Basis For Secular Arguments On Contemporary Issues (08-069)
May 7, 2008
WASHINGTON—The Ten Commandments can provide the basis for secular arguments on contemporary moral issues, members of the Catholic-Jewish Consultation noted at an April 30 meeting in New York.
Road to Priesthood as Varied as Priests; For Some Through Trials, Others Through Careers, Others Right From College (08-068)
May 6, 2008
WASHINGTON—For some, such as Hai Duc Din, 46, of the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, who spent a year in a Vietnamese labor camp, the road to the priesthood was marked by soul-searing ordeal.
Many Foreign-Born, Men in Thirties Among 2008 New Priests (08-067)
May 6, 2008
WASHINGTON—Many men in their thirties and many foreign-born are among the U.S. priests slated for ordination in 2008. This continues the trend of recent years. The average age is 36 for newly ordained diocesan priests and 39 for newly ordained men in religious orders, such as the Jesuits and Dominicans. About 30 percent of new priests are between 25 and 29 years of age. About 39 percent are in their thirties.
Catholic Communication Campaign Collection To Help Fund Multimedia Programs That Spread Gospel Values (08-066)
May 5, 2008
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Catholic bishops have designated the third Sunday of May as the national date for the Collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign to coincide with World Communications Day. The collection will take place in parishes across the country the weekend of May 17-18.
USCCB Official Testifies That U.S. ‘Should And Must’ Do More To Address Iraqi Refugee Crisis (08-065)
May 1, 2008
WASHINGTON—Testifying before Congress on behalf of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, Anastasia K. Brown, director of Refugee Programs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said May 1 that the United States is “not doing everything in its power” to avert a looming refugee crisis in the Middle East. Currently, there are an estimated two million Iraqi refugees, mostly in Jordan and Syria, and two and a half million displaced in Iraq.
Pope Accepts Resignation Of Archbishop Flynn, Co-Adjutor Archbishop John Nienstedt Succeeds Him (08-064e)
May 2, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, 61, who has been co-adjutor archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis since April 24, 2007, succeeds him. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, made the announcement in Washington.
Advisory (08-063)
May 1, 2008
WASHINGTON—Credential applications for media who wish to cover the spring meeting of the U.S. bishops, June 12-14, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida, are now being accepted.

April 2008

Cardinal Rigali Welcomes Proposed Human/Animal Hybrid Ban (08-062)
April 30, 2008
WASHINGTON—Commenting on the introduction in Congress of a “Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act,” Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, today welcomed the legislation as “an opportunity to rein in an egregious and disturbing misuse of technology to undermine human dignity.”
SAVANNAH BISHOP APPOINTED HEAD OF THE APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA (08-061)
April 29, 2008
WASHINGTON— Bishop J. Kevin Boland of the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, has been appointed National Bishop Promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) by Cardinal Francis George, president of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). As Bishop Promoter, Bishop Boland is responsible for fostering the work of the maritime apostolate among the U.S. bishops and overseeing the work of the AOS national director. The appointment was effective February 28.
POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF BISHOP PELOTTE OF GALLUP (08-060e)
April 30, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, SSS, 63, from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico, in accordance with Canon 401.2 of the Code of Canon Law.
MINNESOTA SEMINARY RECTOR NAMED USCCB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CLERGY, CONSECRATED LIFE, VOCATIONS (08-059)
April 29, 2008
WASHINGTON—Father James P. Steffes, rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, has been named executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
National Migration Conference To Focus On Challenges, Abuses Faced By Refugees, Migrants, Human Trafficking Victims (08-058)
April 25, 2008
WASHINGTON – Registration for this year’s National Migration Conference is already under way. The Conference is scheduled for July 28-31 in Washington and it is co-sponsored by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS).
USCCB Official Praises Senate Passage Of ‘Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’ (08-057)
April 24, 2008
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate voted 95 to 0 to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA,” H.R. 493), which bars employers and health insurers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their own or their family members’ genetic information, on April 24.
USCCB To Stream Papal Visit Events Live On The Web (08-056)
April 14, 2008
WASHINGTON—The special Web site (uspapalvisit.org) created by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for Pope Benedict XVI’s April 15-20 visit to the United States will live stream the events. From the pope’s arrival at Andrews AFB to his departure from New York, uspapalvisit.org will have the events live.
Pope, Bishops Get High Marks for Leadership, Cara Poll Finds Millennials Resemble Pre-Vatican II Catholics in Attitudes, Practices (08-053)
April 13, 2008
WASHINGTON—More than eight of out of ten Catholics are satisfied with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, according to a poll of Catholic adults in the United States. More than seven out of ten are equally satisfied with the leadership of the U.S. bishops, a14-point jump, from 58 to 72 percent, since 2004.
Pope to Pray at Ground Zero (08-052)
April 10, 2008
WASHINGTON—During his visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI will pray at Ground Zero, which has become the national civic shrine memorializing those who died in 2001 on 9/11.
Public Popemobile Routes Announced for Pope’s Visit (08-051)
April 10, 2008
WASHINGTON—Popemobile routes for Pope Benedict XVI, April 16 and 17 in Washington, will include travels along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Fourth Street, NE. These routes, especially the motorcade west on Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, present the best way for the public to see Pope Benedict. The pope’s schedule during his three-day visit to Washington includes events that require tickets.
Pope Names Bishops For Des Moines, Little Rock Dioceses, Auxiliaries For San Antonio, Denver, San Francisco Archdioceses (08-050)
April 10, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI named Auxiliary Bishop Richard E. Pates as Bishop of Des Moines, Iowa; and Father Anthony B. Taylor as Bishop of Little Rock, Arkansas. He also named Father Oscar Cantú as auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, Msgr. James D. Conley as auxiliary bishop of Denver, and Father William J. Justice as auxiliary bishop of San Francisco.
Catholic Home Missions Appeal Strengthens Church At Home (08-055)
April 9, 2008
WASHINGTON—The Catholic Home Missions Appeal is scheduled to occur at Catholic parishes throughout the country the weekend of April 26- 27. The theme for the collection is Strengthening the Church at Home.
Pope Benedict XVI To Meet With Educators At CUA (08-054)
April 9, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI will address educators from more that 200 Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. and representatives from all 195 Catholic dioceses in the nation in a speech at The Catholic University of America, April 17. The speech is part of the pope’s three-day Washington visit during his six-day trip to the U.S. The pope will spend April 18 – 20 in New York before returning to Rome.
BISHOPS PRAISE HOUSE PASSAGE OF HEALTH BILL TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA (08-049)
April 2, 2008
WASHINGTON—On April 2, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (HR 5501). The reauthorization act strengthens HIV/AIDS programs by increasing nutrition resources needed for effective treatment, by improving the health care capacity of host governments, and by expanding HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
POPE TO INCLUDE TWO BRIEF VISITS WITH JEWISH LEADERS IN U.S. TRIP (08-048)
April 3, 2008
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced today that Pope Benedict XVI will be including two additional brief visits with members of the Jewish community during his time in the United States April 15-20. The details of the two visits are in acknowledgement of the Jewish feast of Passover, which begins on April 19th during his visit.
MISAS PAPALES EN LOS ESTADIOS DE LOS NACIONALES Y LOS YANKEES REFLEJARÁN DIVERSIDAD Y CELEBRARÁN VARIOS BICENTENARIOS (08-047sp)
1 de abril de, 2008
WASHINGTON—El Papa Benedicto XVI celebrará misa con miles de personas en Washington y Nueva York durante su visita apostólica a los Estados Unidos los días 15 al 20 de abril.
PAPAL MASSES AT NATIONAL AND YANKEE STADIUMS TO REFLECT DIVERSITY OF U.S. POPULATION, CELEBRATE SEVERAL BI-CENTENNIALS (08-047)
April 1, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass with tens of thousands of people in Washington and New York during his apostolic visit to the United States, April 15-20.
POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF MOBILE ARCHBISHOP OSCAR LIPSCOMB, NAMES BILOXI BISHOP THOMAS RODI TO SUCCEED HIM (08-044)
April 2, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb, 76, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, and transferred Bishop Thomas J. Rodi, 59, up to now Bishop of Biloxi, Mississippi, to succeed him.
POPE NAMES TEXAS SEMINARY RECTOR BISHOP OF SHREVEPORT (08-043)
April 1, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI named Msgr. Michael G. Duca, 55, rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, as bishop of Shreveport, Louisiana.

March 2008

HHS SECRETARY LEAVITT PRAISED FOR DEFENDING PHYSICIANS’ CONSCIENCE RIGHTS (08-038)
March 19, 2008
WASHINGTON—Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt was praised for defending physicians’ conscience rights by Deirdre McQuade, spokesperson on pro-life issues for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. She made her comments on March 19 following a public attack on Secretary Leavitt by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
PUBLIC INVITED TO GREET POPE AS HE TRAVELS THROUGH WASHINGTON (08-036)
March 19, 2008
WASHINGTON—Washingtonians and visitors to our nation's capital will have opportunities to greet Pope Benedict XVI during his three-day visit to Washington, D.C. when he arrives April 15. An important part of the pope's demanding itinerary includes opportunities for the public to see the pope as he travels to some events.
Pope to Lead Ecumenical Prayer Service at Manhattan Parish (08-046)
March 31, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI will lead an ecumenical prayer service April 18, at St. Joseph’s Church in the Yorkville area of Manhattan.
Catholic Dioceses Promoting Child Abuse Awareness Month (08-045)
March 31, 2008
WASHINGTON—Catholic dioceses nationwide will promote Child Abuse Awareness Month in April. Plans call for raising awareness through special prayers during Sunday Masses, diocesan and parish lectures, and other educational activities.
Bishops Approve $470,000 For Catholic Home Missions In Special Funding Cycle (08-042)
March 27, 2008
WASHINGTON —The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions has approved $470,000 to be allocated to 22 dioceses that were not funded in the regular 2007 funding cycle. These funds will assist mission dioceses to meet urgent pastoral needs of local Catholics. Funding is being provided for Hispanic ministry, seminarian education, youth ministry, evangelization, lay ministry, diaconate training, and communications.
Pope Benedict Xvi, President Bush To Meet At White House (08-040)
March 24, 2008
WASHINGTON (March 24, 2008)—Pope Benedict XVI will visit the White House, April 16, as part of his visit to Washington and New York.
President Bush To Greet Pope Benedict Upon Arrival At Andrews (08-037)
March 19, 2008
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed “profound shock and sorrow” on behalf of the U.S. bishops following the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho at the hands of his kidnappers earlier today.
Bishops Express Sorrow At Death Of Iraqi Archbishop (08-035)
March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed “profound shock and sorrow” on behalf of the U.S. bishops following the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho at the hands of his kidnappers earlier today.
Catholic Campaign For Human Development Honors Florida’s Coalition Of Immokalee Workers (08-034)
March 12, 2008
WASHINGTON–The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) recently awarded its Sister Margaret Cafferty Development of People Award to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) for being an example of empowerment in action.
USCCB Migration Committee Meets With Top Enforcement Official To Discuss Immigration Raids, Concern For Children (08-033)
March 12, 2008
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration hosted a meeting on March 10 with Assistant Secretary Julie Myers of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discuss the impact of immigration enforcement raids around the country.
Thousands Of Every Age And Background Will Enter The Catholic Church On Holy Saturday (08-032)
March 11, 2008
WASHINGTON—Tens of thousands of people from around the country will be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday, on March 22, through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
USCCB LAUNCHES PAPAL VISIT BLOG (08-031)
March 10, 2008
WASHINGTON—An inside view of papal visit preparations, views from the pew, and reflections on the meaning of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States, April 15-20, can be found on the papal visit blog at www.uspapalvisit.org
Dioceses Compliant With Charter; Outreach Extensive (08-030)
March 7, 2008
WASHINGTON—Virtually all U.S. dioceses and eparchies are compliant with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” according to audits of dioceses and eparchies in 2007.
MEDIA ADVISORY (08-029)
March 5, 2008
WASHINGTON—A briefing on the Thoughts of Pope Benedict XVI with Q&A follow-up in preparation for the pope’s visit to the United States, April 15-20, will be held Thursday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain, Hindu Leaders To Meet With Pope Benedict XVI In Washington (08-028)
March 4, 2008
WASHINGTON—Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain and Hindu communities will meet with Pope Benedict XVI April 17, at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center during the April 15-20 papal visit to the United States.
U.S. Bishops’ National Advisory Council Adds New Members (08-027)
March 3, 2008
WASHINGTON–Fifteen new members have been added to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council, a 56-member body which meets twice a year to review and offer recommendations about matters before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Catholic Bishops Welcome New Bill For Global HIV/aids Relief (08-026)
March 3, 2008
WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) welcomes the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ February 27 approval of a new, bipartisan bill to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. House debate is expected in March.

February 2008

Vatican Appoints U.S. Delegates To October Synod On Scripture (08-025)
February 26, 2008
WASHINGTON – Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, USCCB vice president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston and Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, have been appointed members of Twelvth World Synod of Bishops.
Pope Accepts Resignation Of Lansing Bishop Mengeling, Names Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea To Succeed Him (08-024)
February 27, 2008
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, 77, as bishop of Lansing, Michigan, and named Bishop Earl A. Boyea, 56, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, to succeed him.
U.S. Bishops’ Justice For Immigrants Campaign Hires New Director (08-023)
February 22, 2008
WASHINGTON – The Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) named Antonio B. Cube Jr. as its new national director.
Catholic Relief Services Collection Funds Assistance To Iraqi Refugees (08-022)
February 19, 2008
WASHINGTON–The 2008 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Collection, which provides core funding for six U.S. Catholic agencies, is slated for the weekend of March 1-2.
U.S., Canadian And Latin American Bishops Meet On Long Island To Reflect On Aparecida's Final Document And Continental Mission (08-021)
February 14, 2008
HUNTINGTON, NY- Bishops from the United States, Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean met February 11-13 on Long Island, to reflect upon the event the Final Document and the continental mission launched by the Fifth General Conference of the Latin America and the Caribbean Episcopal Council, which took place in Aparecida, Brazil, May 13 - 31, 2007.
U.S. Bishops Respond To Anti-Immigrant Tax Provision, Raids (08-020)
February 14, 2008
WASHINGTON - Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop Jaime Soto, coadjutor bishop of Sacramento and Chairman of Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) sent a letter February 11 to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, and undersecretary, Julie Myers, expressing concern regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE's) intensified enforcement activities and the protocols followed for such actions.
Papal Visit Media Advisory 2 (08-019)
February 14, 2008
Applications for media credentials for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the U.S. April 15-20, are available online at http://www.uspapalvisit.org/mediakit/index.htm; access is at Media Credentials. Application deadline is Feb. 21.
Book On Priest Identity Published By USCCB'S Father David Toups (08-017)
February 11, 2008
WASHINGTON-Father David L. Toups, associate director at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, has published a book on priests' identity amidst the contemporary crises that affect ministry today.
Response To The Publication Of Pope Benedict XVI’s Revision Of The 1962 Good Friday Prayer For The Jewish People (08-016)
February 6, 2008
WASHINGTON – “The Holy Father has heard with appreciation the concerns of the Jewish community that the prayers of Good Friday should reflect the relationship between Jews and the Church put forward in Nostra Aetate, and implemented by the late Pope John Paul II.
For Valentine’s, Do Something Special “For Your Marriage” (08-015)
February 5, 2008
WASHINGTON—This Valentine’s Day, skip the candy and flowers… better yet, this year give your spouse or significant other a little something extra. Log on to www.foryourmarriage.org for tips and tools to deal with common issues faced by married and engaged couples and those in serious relationships.
Jewish, Christian And Muslim Religious Leaders Support U.S. Leadership For Peace; Call For Comprehensive Ceasefire (08-014)
February 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - -In a letter to President Bush supporting his pledge to provide active U.S. leadership for Israeli-Palestinian peace in 2008, American Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, including heads of more than 20 national organizations, are advocating “urgent U.S. engagement to achieve an effective comprehensive ceasefire covering Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and other simultaneous steps by Israel and the Palestinian Authority to improve conditions on the ground and restore people's hopes that a peace agreement is possible.”
Conferencia De Obispos Ofrece Recursos Multimedia Para Cuaresma Accesibles En La Red (08-013)
February 3, 2008
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering a variety of multimedia resources to help Catholics reflect during the 2008 season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6.