Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez completed his three years as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 15 with images of conflict, changes and challenges during his term.
At border Mass above the Rio Grande, migrants who died are remembered
– From an altar set on a platform just above the waters that straddle the U.S. and Mexico, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, celebrated a Mass Nov. 5 to remember migrants who’ve died trying to cross the waters below or along the border in 2022.
On the border, fears rise of a less welcoming era for asylum-seekers
Like Cubans and Haitians heading to the U.S. trying to escape spiraling economic and political woes at home, Venezuelans, too, have been arriving at the southern border in increasing numbers.
Pelosi speaks of heartbreak after husband’s attack; bishops offer prayers
San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said he was praying for the husband of House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi after police said he was “violently assaulted” at home early Oct. 28 by a man with a hammer.
Missouri bishop offers prayers after deadly school shooting
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, asked for prayers after three people died following an Oct. 24 shooting at a high school in St. Louis.
Perceptions of migrants are in the political crosshairs ahead of midterms
Bishop Mario Dorsonville — like previous chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration — has been a constant voice on church teaching that calls on Catholics to welcome the stranger in an age when Catholic politicians are some of the most visible voices against that teaching.
In Ukraine, Basilian sisters pitch in and prepare for war’s consequences
Sister Yeronima Rybakova, principal of St. Basil the Great Catholic School, which the order operates near the busy city center, said much changed in their community after Feb. 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
Study of priests shows distrust of bishops, fear of false abuse accusations
The study “Well-being, Trust and Policy in a Time of Crisis” by The Catholic Project, written by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Christopher Jacobi and Chelsea Rae Kelly, of The Catholic University of America, paints a portrait of a majority of priests who feel abandoned by the men they are supposed to trust at the helm of their dioceses.
Florida continues with Hurricane Ian cleanup efforts
As authorities in Florida continued rescue efforts, Catholic parishes and dioceses in the U.S. moved rapidly to collect aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, and U.S. President Joe Biden said it could take years to rebuild what was destroyed.
Catholic response teams in place to help as Hurricane Ian leaves catastrophe in Florida
Organizations such as Catholic Charities USA said they have their response teams in place to deal with the aftermath of the massive Category 4 storm that lashed western and central Florida with winds of more than 155 mph Sept. 28 and 29.
Catholic sisters, organizations call efforts to suppress voting a ‘sin’
Organizations led by women religious in the U.S., as well as other Catholic institutions, denounced those who threaten democracy and efforts that make it difficult for some U.S. citizens to vote.
Conference takes bird’s-eye view at complex U.S. immigration landscape
As federal authorities announced Sept. 20 an all-time high for the number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border — upward of 2 million — an annual immigration conference was taking place at Georgetown University’s Law Center campus in downtown Washington.