Catholic News Update
(USCCB News Archives can be accessed at www.usccb.org/news/)
January 9, 2025
Dr. King’s Message Continues to Impact Our Lives Today
Dr. King’s Message Continues to Impact Our Lives Today
WASHINGTON — “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and these words remind us that we are connected and responsible for each other as we seek to fulfill the dream and build a more just society for all God’s children, said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Referencing the words of the late civil rights leader whose life and legacy are commemorated on January 20, Archbishop Broglio’s full reflection on Dr. King follows:
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged all to live out the principle of solidarity and human dignity. As we commemorate what would have been his 96th birthday, Dr. King’s message continues to have an impact on our lives today. Our Holy Father Pope Francis said in his address to the United States Congress during his Apostolic Visit to the United States:
‘Here too I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery fifty years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his “dream” of full civil and political rights for African Americans. That dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of “dreams.” Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people.’
“Dr. King’s memorial holiday is a fitting occasion to recall also his words from Letter from a Birmingham Jail where he stated, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ In reflecting on the continuing realities of racial injustice, immigrant families seeking welcome, and economic disparity, these words remind us that we are connected and responsible for each other as we seek to fulfill the dream. As we approach Dr. King’s holiday, let us be inspired by this righteous man’s work and sacrifice to create a more just society for all of God’s children.”
January 7, 2025
Annual Collection Expresses Unity for Church in Latin America
Annual Collection Expresses Unity for Church in Latin America
WASHINGTON — Through gifts to the Collection for the Church in Latin America, Catholics in the United States have an opportunity to support the Church’s mission in countries affected by poverty, political instability and natural disasters. The collection was founded in 1965 as a way for Catholics in the United States to express their unity and solidarity with Catholics in Central and South America and the islands of the Caribbean. Inspired by the Second Vatican Council, it recognizes spiritual bonds rooted in shared faith and history.
Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg of Reno, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on National Collections, encountered an Oklahoma priest in 1981 who was later martyred in Guatemala. “Blessed Stanley Rother ministered in Guatemala, even in the face of great danger because God had called him to love and care for Latin Americans in need,” Bishop Mueggenborg said. “Fr. Rother’s ministry to the poor threatened the interests of powerful people and it ultimately led to his death, but his heroic witness helped to inspire my own priestly vocation and my sense of solidarity with Catholics in Latin America. The Collection for the Church in Latin America is an opportunity for all of us to answer that same call. It may not cost us our lives, but a financial sacrifice, even a small one, will go towards impacting the lives of many.”
Last year the collection provided $6.2 million for more than 250 ministries in places where the Church cannot support itself without outside assistance. More than half the money supported pastoral needs, nearly 28% provided disaster relief and about 20% subsidized vocations and the formation of clergy and religious. A few examples are:
-
In Haiti, which has severe soil depletion, 330 lay leaders integrated Catholic social teaching on ecology and care for creation with practical instruction on improving their soil and water and on planting trees to prevent erosion.
-
In the Diocese of Choluteca, Honduras, the collection aided migrants who have settled there from other Latin American nations and from as far as Asia and Africa. This part of a wider diocesan social outreach that includes evangelizing the poor with respect and social sensitivity.
-
In the Dominican Republic, 18 young women who entered the religious community of the Order of Saint Clare are receiving support as they discover new approaches to praying for the world from their cloistered convent.
-
In Ecuador, the collection helped to subsidize the September 2024 International Eucharistic Congress, which drew participants from 40 nations.
-
In the Archdiocese of San Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, a grant supported social ministry that ranges from helping parishes convert cooking oil into low-cost fuel to a World Day of the Poor festival for the community with food, music, and a Eucharistic procession through impoverished neighborhoods.
“With support from parishioners like you, the Collection for the Church in Latin America helps countless poor and marginalized people to experience God’s love and share it with their neighbors,” Bishop Mueggenborg said. “That is what Blessed Stanley Rother went to Latin America to do, and it is what Jesus calls all of us to do.”
Many dioceses will take this collection on January 25-26. The online giving site #iGiveCatholicTogether also accepts funds for this collection.
For more information see https://www.usccb.org/committees/church-latin-america.
January 6, 2025
Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Cardinal Wilton Gregory
Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Cardinal Wilton Gregory
WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, 77, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Washington, and has appointed Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, as his successor.
The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The Archdiocese of Washington is comprised of 2,104 square miles in the District of Columbia and the five counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles in the State of Maryland, and has a total population of 3,050,847 of which 671,187, are Catholic.
December 30, 2024
Archbishop Broglio’s Statement on Death of President Carter
WASHINGTON — Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement on the passing of President Jimmy Carter.
“On behalf of my brother bishops, we join in mourning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. His lifelong work on behalf of peace among nations will continue to serve as an inspiration for a world in need of peacemakers. I pray for the repose of his soul and the comfort of his family.”
December 20, 2024
Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Gregory Kelly as Bishop of Tyler
Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Gregory Kelly as Bishop of Tyler
WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has appointed Most Reverend J. Gregory Kelly, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, as Bishop of Tyler. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on December 20, 2024, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The biography for Bishop Kelly may be found here.
The Diocese of Tyler is comprised of 23,443 square miles in the State of Texas and has a total population of 1,460,387, of which 121,212 are Catholic.
December 20, 2024
Pope Francis Names New Auxiliary Bishops of Chicago
Pope Francis Names New Auxiliary Bishops of Chicago
WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Timothy O’Malley, Very Rev. Lawrence J. Sullivan, Rev. José Maria Garcia Maldonado, Rev. Robert Fedek, and Rev. John S. Siemianowski, as auxiliary bishops of Chicago. The appointments were publicized in Washington, D.C. on December 20, 2024, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Bishop-elect O’Malley is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and currently pastor of Most Blessed Trinity parish, in Waukegan. Bishop-elect Sullivan is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, currently serving as interim episcopal vicar for Vicariate VI, interim priest director of Catholic Cemeteries, and pastor of Christ the King parish in Chicago. Bishop-elect Maldonado is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, currently serving as pastor of San José Sanchez del Rio parish in Chicago. Bishop-elect Fedek is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, currently serving as the assistant to the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago. Bishop-elect Siemianowski is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, currently serving as pastor of Saint Juliana parish in Chicago.
The following biographical information for the bishops-elect were drawn from preliminary materials provided to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Bishop-elect Timothy O’Malley
Reverend Timothy O’Malley was born December 17, 1959, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Purdue University (1982) and a Certified Public Accountant through the University of Illinois (1983). He earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University Law School in 1989. After working as an accountant (1982-1987) and practicing law (1990-1992), he attended Mundelein Seminary (1992-1997) and earned a bachelor’s in sacred theology and a master of divinity. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1997.
Father O’Malley’s pastoral assignments include: associate pastor at Saint Agnes of Bohemia parish in Chicago (1997-2002); pastor of Saint James parish in Highwood (2002-2007); pastor of Saint James parish in Round Lake (2007-2015); and pastor of Saint Genevieve parish in Chicago (2015-2018). He has served as pastor of Most Blessed Trinity parish in Waukegan since 2018.
His other diocesan assignments include: member of the Priest Placement Board (2014-2018); dean of Deanery IV C (2015-2018), Deanery IV A (2017-2018), and Deanery I B (2019-present). Father O’Malley speaks English and Spanish.
Bishop-elect Lawrence J. Sullivan
Very Reverend Lawrence J. Sullivan was born January 22, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the Nile College Seminary of Loyola University, Chicago, in 1988. He completed a master of arts in theology at Mundelein Seminary in 1992 and earned a master of science in ecclesial management from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 2019. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1992.
Father Sullivan’s pastoral assignments include: associate pastor at Saint Celestine parish in Elmwood Park (1992-1999); pastor of Saint Celestine parish in Elmwood Park (1999-2008); pastor of Saint Christina parish in Mount Greenwood (2008-2014). He currently serves as pastor of Christ the King parish in Beverly, and as interim episcopal vicar for the Vicarate VI of the archdiocese, and as interim priest director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
His diocesan assignments include: associate priest director (2013-2017) and interim priest director (2017-present) of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago; interim episcopal vicar for Vicariate VI of the Archdiocese of Chicago (2023-present); member of the archdiocesan school board (2015-present); member and vice-chair of the presbyteral council; and member of the college of consultors.
Bishop-elect José Maria Garcia Maldonado
Reverend José Maria Garcia Maldonado was born on March 24, 1979, in San Julian, Jalisco, Mexico. He attended the Minor Seminary of the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos and completed an introductory program in Arandas, Jalisco, before entering the local major seminary. In August 2001, he immigrated to the United States. He entered the Casa Jesus Program in Chicago in 2002 and completed his studies at Mundelein Seminary, earning a masters in divinity in 2008. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 2008.
Father Garcia’s pastoral assignments include: associate pastor at Saint Sylvester parish in Chicago (2009-2010); director of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines (2010-2011); staff member at Saint Joseph College Seminary in Chicago (2010-2011); administrator and pastor at Good Shepherd parish in Chicago (2012-2021); administrator of Our Lady of Tepeyac parish in Chicago (2018). Since 2021 he has served as pastor of San José Luis Sanchez del Rio parish in Chicago.
His diocesan assignments include: director of vocations at Saint Joseph Seminary College (2010); member of the presbyteral council (2014-2021); member of the college of consultors (2014-2021); dean of Deanery C in Vicariate IV (2021-2023); and dean of Deanery A in Vicariate IV (2023). Father Garcia speaks English and Spanish.
Bishop-elect Robert Fedek
Reverend Robert Fedek was born on July 17, 1979, in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. He attended the Archdiocesan Theological Seminary in Krakow, Poland, from 1998 to 2001, and continued his studies at the Abramowicz Preparatory Seminary and Mundelein Seminary, earning a masters in divinity in 2005. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 2005.
Father Fedek’s pastoral assignments include: associate pastor at Saint Mary of the Annunciation parish in Chicago (2005-2010); pastor of Our Lady of Victory parish in Mundelein (2010-2017); pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Chicago (2017-2020). Since 2020, he has served as administrative secretary to the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago.
Bishop-elect Fedek’s diocesan assignments include: assistant vocation director for Vicariate I (2007-2010); and coordinator of the Polish Ministry Council (2015-2018). Father Fedek speaks English and Polish.
Bishop-elect John S. Siemianowski
Reverend John Steven Siemianowski was born on May 26, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor of science degree and a Secondary Education Certificate from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, in 1982. Before entering seminary, he worked as a teacher at Saint Joseph Catholic School from 1982 to 1984. He attended Mundelein Seminary and earned a masters in divinity in 1989. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1989.
Father Siemianowski’s pastoral assignments include: associate pastor at Saint Francis de Sales parish in Lake Zurich (1989-1990); associate pastor at Saint Mary parish in Buffalo Grove (1990-1993); associate pastor at Saint Elizabeth Seton parish in Orland Hills (1993-1996); pastor of Saint Agnes parish in Chicago Heights (1996-2001); administrator and later pastor of Saint Paul parish in Chicago (2003-2010); pastor of Saint Kieran parish in Chicago (2013-2021); and pastor of Saint Juliana parish in Chicago (2021-present).
His diocesan assignments include: member of the Priest Placement Board (1994-1998) and executive secretary of the Priest Placement Board (2019-2022). Father Siemianowski speaks English and Spanish.
The Archdiocese of Chicago is comprised of 1,411 square miles in the State of Illinois and has a total population of 5,939,000 of which 2,079,000 are Catholic.
December 11, 2024
Reflection on Our Lady of Guadalupe
Reflection on Our Lady of Guadalupe
WASHINGTON – “With one clear voice, we reaffirm our unwavering and unqualified recognition of the fact that each and every human life is sacred, that all persons are imbued by God with an inviolable dignity, which no earthly power can deny.” The Catholic Church commemorates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas on December 12. Besides this Marian feast day and devotion to the Blessed Mother carrying special significance for many immigrants in the United States, Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as patroness of the unborn after appearing to Saint Juan Diego as a pregnant mother. Invoking her intercession, the following reflection was authored by several chairmen of committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
“Though we so often distinguish ourselves through borders, races, languages, political ideals, and so many other possible sources of division, Our Lady’s patronage is a powerful reminder that we are all called to be one in Christ Jesus, beginning from the moment of our conception. At this time, when some of our brothers and sisters are experiencing fear and anxiety, we are reminded of the abiding words of Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego: ‘Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?’“Throughout the life of our nation, we have seen at times unacceptable demonstrations of prejudice and hatred, including in recent days mass communications targeting people of color and disparaging comments about immigrant communities. With one clear voice, we reaffirm our unwavering and unqualified recognition of the fact that each and every human life is sacred, that all persons are imbued by God with an inviolable dignity, which no earthly power can deny. The sinful ideologies of racism and xenophobia are antithetical to these core teachings of our Christian faith. No person formed by and committed to the Gospel of Life can harbor such views in good conscience.“We beseech you, Blessed Mother: May the same love you radiated in the presence of Saint Juan Diego nearly five hundred years ago penetrate the heart of every man, woman, and child in our nation, creating in each one of us a profound and unrelenting awareness of our shared humanity. Intercede for us with your Son, Jesus, whom you brought forth from your womb to shine as the Light of the World. Envelop us in the comfort of your mantle, bringing forth the peace, hope, and healing that is so desperately needed in our age.”
This reflection on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was shared by Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration; Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the Subcommittee on the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers; and Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Chicago and chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.
December 11, 2024
New Glossary Breaks Ground in Tackling Antisemitism Through Catholic Lens
New Glossary Breaks Ground in Tackling Antisemitism Through Catholic Lens
NEW YORK — Today, as part of ongoing and broader efforts to counter antisemitism across society, American Jewish Committee (AJC), in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, released Translate Hate: The Catholic Edition. This groundbreaking resource paves the way for deeper and wider cooperation in a shared commitment to eradicating antisemitism at a time when recent events have challenged Catholic-Jewish relations.
Translate Hate: The Catholic Edition features Catholic commentary on various entries of AJC’s renowned Translate Hate glossary of antisemitic terms, themes, and memes. It comes as Catholic and Jewish communities prepare to mark six decades of trust-building and mutual learning beginning when the Catholic Church reached out to the Jewish people and the world with Nostra Aetate, the historic Second Vatican Council document disseminated on October 28, 1965, which dramatically and publicly decried antisemitism and transformed the Church’s approach to the Jewish people for the better.
“For sixty years, dialogue has helped to establish lasting friendship among leaders in the Catholic and Jewish communities,” said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. “As we prepare to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, it is more important than ever to renew our commitment to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters against all forms of antisemitism. Sadly, we are currently witnessing a tragic rise in antisemitic incidents both globally and here in the United States, a painful reminder that our work is not done. This project is but one example of the fruits of our collaboration that we hope will have wide-ranging impact as Catholics and Jews continue building bridges and combat antisemitism together.”
Translate Hate: The Catholic Edition is the product of investment in Catholic and Jewish leadership dialogue. It is the latest, but not the last, installment in deepening and extending the infrastructure, educational tools, and reach of Catholic-Jewish relations.
“This Catholic edition of Translate Hate is a groundbreaking project for Catholic-Jewish relations and could not come at a more needed time, as we are experiencing the most dramatic rise in antisemitism since the Holocaust, including notably in the United States,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs. “USCCB’s allyship and leadership in confronting antisemitism as a threat not only to the Jewish people but also to civilized society more broadly is a key part of the national whole-of-society approach we need to combat anti-Jewish hate. We are proud to partner with USCCB and support its ‘The Fruit of Dialogue: Catholics Confronting Antisemitism’ initiative. The path inaugurated by Nostra Aetate must continuously be renewed and this USCCB partnership with AJC is a reaffirmation of that commitment.”
As with the original Translate Hate, the Catholic edition will be flexible and updated with more Catholic commentaries, even as the glossary list of antisemitic terms expands.
“Like the versions that came before it, we hope that Translate Hate: The Catholic Edition will help equip Catholics, Jews, and others with the tools needed to recognize antisemitism,” said Holly Huffnagle, AJC U.S. Director for Combating Antisemitism. “The first step in combating antisemitism is being able to understand and identify it. Translate Hate: The Catholic Editionpresents this information in a way that can be used at all levels of Catholic and Jewish formal and informal education and empower our partners to stand up to anti-Jewish hate.”
December 10, 2024
Grants Seek to Bring Gospel to the Poor, Vulnerable, and Oppressed
Grants Seek to Bring Gospel to the Poor, Vulnerable, and Oppressed
WASHINGTON — “Catholics across the United States help strengthen the faith and bring the Good News of Jesus to the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed,” said Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg of Reno, chairman of the Committee on National Collections for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The bishops who serve on the five subcommittees of the Committee on National Collections met recently and awarded nearly 500 grants totaling more than $19.5 million to further the mission of Jesus Christ and provide support to some of the most impoverished and marginalized people in the United States and around the world.
The grants awarded by these program subcommittees were made possible by parishioners’ donations to five annual collections:
-
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
-
The Catholic Home Missions Appeal
-
The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
-
The Collection for the Church in Latin America
-
The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa
“The grants made possible through these national collections embody the spirit of what Pope Francis called for when he designated the Jubilee 2025 with the theme 'Pilgrimage of Hope,'” Bishop Mueggenberg said. “This Jubilee year is a special opportunity for the Catholic faithful to share the hopeful message of the Gospel with the world. In that spirit of hope and through their generosity to the national collections, Catholics support pastoral ministries to prisoners and refugees, training for lay leaders, and the Church’s efforts to build peace in lands affected by war and oppression,” he said.
Funded projects range from support for ministries and priestly vocations in the mission dioceses of the United States and its territories, as well as the economic and community development work of grassroots organizations working to combat poverty in neighborhoods across the country. This concern for the poor and marginalized extends overseas with support for efforts to stop human trafficking in the Horn of Africa, helping Catholic sisters care for war victims in Ukraine, and rebuilding a hurricane-ravaged church in Cuba.
December 10, 2024
Bishop Zaidan on Political Transition and Beginning of New Chapter in Syria
Bishop Zaidan on Political Transition and Beginning of New Chapter in Syria
WASHINGTON — The United States and the international community should assist Syria as it “starts a new chapter in its rich history,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.
“In yet another dramatic development in the Middle East, after enduring more than a decade of bloody civil war, Syria is undergoing a national political transition that will surely impact the entire region. Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria, expressed his profound relief that the transition was relatively peaceful, while also noting the arduous task ahead for the Syrian people saying, ‘Thank God, this transition happened without bloodshed, without the carnage that was feared. Now the path ahead is steep—those who have taken power have promised to respect everyone and to build a new Syria. We hope they will keep these promises, but of course, the road ahead remains very difficult.’
“I echo Cardinal Zenari’s sentiments on the transition and the aspirations of the Syrian people are clear: the people of Syria want a government in Damascus that will respect and defend human rights, especially the religious freedom of minorities, uphold the rule of law, and promote economic and civil society development throughout the country. As Syria starts a new chapter in its rich history, I urge the United States and the international community to keep the people of Syria in prayer and to closely monitor the situation so that all aid organizations are able to reach those most in need.”
December 5, 2024
USCCB President on Anniversary of Ukraine’s Voluntary Relinquishing of Nuclear Arsenal
USCCB President on Anniversary of Ukraine’s Voluntary Relinquishing of Nuclear Arsenal
WASHINGTON — Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Ukraine’s voluntary relinquishing of its nuclear arsenal, highlighting the country’s courage in envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons.
“Thirty years ago today, on December 5, 1994, in a truly prophetic gesture in favor of global peace, Ukraine voluntarily relinquished its nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world at that time. The Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Kingdom pledged to respect the ‘independence, sovereignty, and the existing borders of Ukraine.’ France and China variously echoed these promises. Unfortunately, this pledge was broken by the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion in 2022. As the bitter conflict rages, with mounting civilian deaths and widespread displacement, we commemorate the time when the Ukrainian people opted for life, liberty, and peace, courageously envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons.
“Recently, as Ukraine marked 1,000 days since the invasion began, Pope Francis wrote to the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, to express his solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. We join our Holy Father in reaffirming his call for peace when he said, ‘It is this word – peace – unfortunately forgotten by the world today, that we would like to hear resound in the families, homes, and squares of dear Ukraine.’”
November 27, 2024
Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah a Source of “Profound Hope”
Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah a Source of “Profound Hope”
WASHINGTON — News of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was received with “profound hope” by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.
“It is in a spirit of profound hope that I welcome news that, after more than a year of fighting and thousands of deaths, a ceasefire has been agreed upon by Israel and Hezbollah, beginning today, Wednesday, November 27. I am grateful for the crucial, peacebuilding role that the United States has played in this development in Lebanon and Israel. As we rejoice in this opportunity for peace to take root, I urge all parties, as well as the broader international community, to remain vigilant and to continue working toward the consolidation of peace in the region through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the full implementation of the UN resolutions concerning Lebanon; this will lead to Lebanon regaining its full sovereignty and independence.
“I pray that this ceasefire proves to be a beacon of real hope, and that it inspires greater ambitions for a lasting peace in the Middle East on all fronts, especially in the dire situation in Gaza. I join in solidarity with Pope Francis, who, in October, called for a ceasefire, saying: ‘Let us pursue the paths of diplomacy and dialogue to achieve peace.’”
November 22, 2024
Nationwide Prayer Vigil for Life Planned January 23-24
Nationwide Prayer Vigil for Life Planned January 23-24
WASHINGTON — “I enthusiastically invite Catholics from all around the country to join me in-person or virtually, in praying for an end to abortion and building up a culture of life,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The faithful are invited to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 23 to Friday, January 24, 2025, and encouraged to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life in post-Roe America.
In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision Dobbs vs. Jackson which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Since the Dobbsdecision, abortion policy is now determined at the state and federal levels. Some states have increased access to abortion and others are working to ensure stronger policies to protect preborn children and their mothers.
“Together, we must pray to change hearts and build a culture of life as we advocate for the most vulnerable. I look forward to opening our Vigil with Holy Mass together with many other bishops, hundreds of priests, consecrated religious, seminarians, and many thousands of pilgrims,” said Bishop Thomas.
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted each January by the USCCB’s Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. The vigil has always taken place on the eve of the March for Life, which marks the date of the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
The Opening Mass will take place in the Great Upper Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, January 23. The principal celebrant and homilist for the Opening Mass will be Bishop Thomas.
After the Mass, there will be a Eucharistic Procession immediately followed by a National Holy Hour for Life, which will include Recitation of the Rosary and Benediction. The Opening Mass and Holy Hour of the National Prayer Vigil for Life will be broadcast on various Catholic networks and will be livestreamed on the Basilica’s website at www.nationalshrine.org/mass.
The vigil concludes at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 24 with the Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn.
The full schedule of the 2025 National Prayer Vigil for Life is listed below. (All times are in Eastern Time.)
Thursday, January 23:
4:45 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy
5:00 PM Opening Mass with Bishop Thomas
7:00 PM Holy Hour for Life
4:45 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy
5:00 PM Opening Mass with Bishop Thomas
7:00 PM Holy Hour for Life
Friday, January 24:
8:00 AM Closing Mass with Bishop Brennan
The live television broadcasts on January 23 from 5:00-8:00 PM and on January 24 from 8:00-9:00 AM will be provided by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and will be available via live-stream on the Basilica’s website. For more information about on-site attendance at the Basilica for the National Prayer Vigil for Life, please visit the information page on the Basilica’s website.
November 14, 2024
Recap of U.S. Bishops’ Fall Plenary in Baltimore
Recap of U.S. Bishops’ Fall Plenary in Baltimore
BALTIMORE — The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. The bishops began their plenary in prayer at the Baltimore Basilica and as the public session of the assembly began, they sent a message to the Holy Father, followed by an address by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB, also addressed the bishops.
Attending the plenary as a special guest was Bishop Stepan Sus, auxiliary and curial bishop to the head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Metropolitan of Kyiv-Halych, who shared his testimony of the Church in Ukraine in the midst of war. Bishop Roy E. Campbell, auxiliary bishop of Washington and president of The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) gave a brief presentation to the body on the history, mission and programs of the NBCC. And as the universal Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025, Sister Maria Juan Anderson, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, who currently serves as the coordinator for the Bishops’ Office for United States Visitors to the Vatican, shared information about her office and the services they provide to pilgrims visiting Rome. Mr. Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, provided an update on the Order’s Cor initiative.
The bishops received a report on the 2021-2024 Synod of Bishops that concluded in Rome last month; a report on the Eucharistic revival initiative and the National Eucharistic Congress held this summer; and an update on the interim implementation of Antiquum Ministerium (on the ministry of the catechist). An update was also given on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) as a follow up to the discussion the bishops had at their June plenary on the best way that the CCHD could continue the vital work of fighting poverty. The bishops’ migration committee chairman gave an update on the work of the committee, which aims to help reshape the national narrative on migration to be more welcoming and responsive to the needs of migrants and to help the faithful better understand Catholic teaching on migration. A presentation was also given on the resources available for diocesan and parish leaders in applying the Vatican’s declaration, Dignitas Infinita (on human dignity) to the specific cultural context of the United States; this effort is an ongoing collaboration among several committees of the USCCB.
Exemplifying synodality, the bishops engaged in a table discussion during the public session on the pastoral implementation of integral ecology and Laudato si’. Specifically, they were provided with prompts to discuss how best to mark the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’. The table discussions were enhanced by the adjustment to bishops’ seating made during the November 2022 plenary to more naturally accommodate fraternal dialogue. While a summary of the discussions was not provided publicly during the plenary, the reports from each bishop group will be used to guide the work of Conference committees.
The bishops also approved the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth to move forward with the drafting of a document to guide lay ecclesial ministry, which is meant to be a follow-up to the bishops’ 2005 document, Coworkers in the Vineyard of the Lord; the action item was passed with 223 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 6 abstentions. The bishops also voted to pass the USCCB’s 2025 budget (226 votes in favor, 3 votes against, and 4 abstentions), and on the USCCB’s 2025-2028 Mission Directive, which will guide the work of the Conference staff over the next three years (225 votes in favor, 7 votes against, and 2 abstentions).
During their meeting, the bishops voted for a new treasurer and new chairmen of five standing committees. All six elected bishops will serve for one year as the chairman-elect before beginning a three-year term that begins at the conclusion of the bishops’ 2025 Plenary Assembly. They also held a consultation on advancing the causes for beatification and canonization for Sister Annella Zervas, a professed religious of the Order of Saint Benedict, and of the Servant of God Gertrude Agnes Barber, a lay woman, and by voice vote, they affirmed the advancement of both causes at the local levels.
The bishops discussed and voted on three action items related to liturgical texts, presented by the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship:
-
The bishops voted 216 votes in favor, 4 votes against, and 3 abstentions to approve the revised New American Bible for liturgical use. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent confirmatio from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
-
The bishops voted 220 in favor, 2 votes against, and 1 abstention to approve the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) Gray Book of The Order of Crowning of an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent confirmatio by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
-
The bishops voted 213 in favor, 1 vote against, and 9 abstentions to approve the Liturgia de las Horas: Textos propios y adaptaciones para las diócesis de los Estados Unidos de América. The approval of this requires a two-thirds vote of the Latin Church members, with subsequent recognitio by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.