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Bishops' Conference launches 'Por tu Matrimonio', a new marriage Web site to help Spanish speaking couples
Bishops to House of Representatives: Fix Flaws or Vote No on Health Reform Bill
WASHINGTONThe U.S. bishops urged the House of Representatives to fix flaws in health care legislation or vote against its passage in a March 20 letter to House members. The letter was signed by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chair on the Committee on Migration. The letter follows.
Health Care for Life and for All
For decades, the United States Catholic bishops have actively supported universal health care. The Catholic Church teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential for human life and dignity. Our community of faith provides health care to millions, purchases health care for tens of thousands and addresses the failings of our health care system in our parishes, emergency rooms and shelters.
WASHINGTONCardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on the state of health care reform:
Statement by Cardinal Francis George, OMI
The Cost is too High; the Loss is too Great
The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long and consistently advocated for the reform of the American health care system. Their experience in health care and in Catholic parishes has acquainted them with the anguish of mothers who are unable to afford prenatal care, of families unable to ensure quality care for their children, and of those who cannot obtain insurance because of preexisting conditions.
WASHINGTON—Several Hispanic bishops, joined Bishop John C. Wester, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, in sending a letter to all Representatives in the House urging them to include immigrants in health care reform.
Statement From the President of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious
In a March 15th statement, Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke on behalf of the United States Bishops in opposition to the Senate’s version of the health care legislation under consideration because of its expansion of abortion funding and its lack of adequate provision for conscience protection. Recent statements from groups like Network, the Catholic Health Association and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) directly oppose the Catholic Church’s position on critical issues of health care reform.
Media Advisory - Mass for Immigrants, March 21, in Washington
WASHINGTON—Due to limitations of space and the large numbers expected to attend the Mass for Immigrants, March 21, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Washington, media intending to cover the Mass are strongly encouraged to register with the USCCB Media Relations office. Please contact Mar Muñoz-Visoso at mmunoz-visoso@usccb.org or 202-541-3202.
Sister Carol Keehan, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, as quoted in a column by EJ Dionne (March 18), has suggested that Cardinal George, President of the USCCB, misrepresented CHA’s position on the health care bill in a statement Cardinal George issued March 15, 2010.
Washington—A recent letter from Network, a social justice lobby of sisters, grossly overstated whom they represent in a letter to Congress that was also released to media.
U.S. Bishops Provide Resources Explaining Flaws In Senate Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has made available several new resources explaining its calls for essential changes to the Senate health care reform bill. In a March 15 statement, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the USCCB, said that the U.S. bishops would, regretfully, have to oppose the final bill if these changes were not made.
USCCB Marks Refugee Act Thirtieth Anniversary, Catholic Church Commitment To Refugees
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the largest resettlement organization in the United States, on March 17, marked the thirtieth anniversary of the 1980 U.S. Refugee Act.
Cardinal Mahony will Celebrate Mass for Immigrants, March 21, in Washington
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, will celebrate a Mass for Immigrants, March 21, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Washington. The event coincides with the “March for America: Change Takes Courage and Faith” organized by diverse communities of faith demanding comprehensive immigration reform.
Pope Names Vicar General, Pastor As Auxiliary Bishops For Dallas
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Father J. Douglas Deshotel, 58, vicar general of the Diocese of Dallas, and Msgr. Mark J. Seitz, 56, pastor of Dallas’s St. Rita Parish, as auxiliary bishops of the Diocese of Dallas.
Bishops Call For Extension Of Trade Preferences For Haiti As Part Of Long-Term Recovery Support
WASHINGTON—As part of an effort to address the long-term needs of the Haitian people, the United States needs to extend trade preferences for Haiti, said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In a February 19 letter, Bishop Hubbard called on the Senate Foreign Relations and Finance Committees to support the “Renewing Hope for Haitian Trade and Investment Act” (S. 2978) so that it moves quickly through the legislative process.
Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation to Dialogue about Challenges of Unity in Diversity
WASHINGTON—Three hundred church leaders —bishops, priests, religious and laity—from all ethnic and cultural families and walks of life will gather May 6-8, at the University of Notre Dame for the Catholic Cultural Diversity Network Convocation (CCDNC).
SALT LAKE CITY—Catholics and Mormons stand as one in defense of religious liberty, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
U.S. Bishops Offer Prayers, Assistance for Victims of Earthquake in Chile
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed prayers for all victims of the recent earthquake in Chile in a March 1 letter to Bishop Alejandro Goić, Karmelić, President of the Chilean bishops’conference.
ADVISORY: Schedule For March 1-3 U.S. Bishops Advisory Group Visit To Haiti
WASHINGTON—The delegation will assess the impact of the earthquake on the local Church and identify ways in which the subcommittee can assist.
Give Hope to Jesus in Disguise is Plea of the Catholic Relief Services Collection
WASHINGTON—The 2010 Catholic Relief Services Collection calls Catholics to Give Hope to Jesus in Disguise. The collection will be taken in most parishes around the country the weekend of March 14.
WASHINGTON—On the eve of the White House Health Care Summit, the U.S. Bishops urged Congressional leaders “to commit themselves to enacting genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.” In their February 24 letter to Congressional leadership, the bishops also cited their longtime support of adequate and affordable health care for all, calling health care a basic human right.
USCCB Subcommittee on Church in Latin America Creates Haiti Advisory Group to Visit Haiti March 1-3
WASHINGTON—As part of the ongoing response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Archbishop José H. Gomez of San Antonio, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America, has created a Haiti Advisory Group to help assess the impact on the local Church. Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake on January 12.
Pope Names Bishops for Scranton, Pennsylvania; Ogdensburg, New York
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, 53, administrator of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, as bishop of Scranton, and Father Terry R. LaValley, 53, administrator of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, as bishop of Ogdensburg.
USCCB Liturgist: Welcoming Catechumens into Church a Job for all Catholics
WASHINGTON—During Lent candidates for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) experience final preparation to become members of the Catholic Church. The "Elect," as they are called, rely on the whole Church to welcome them.Father Richard Hilgartner, assistant director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship at the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops offered ten things Catholics can do to welcome new members into the Church.
Series of Seminars Slated to Introduce Revised Roman Missal
WASHINGTON—A series of workshops slated from April 15-16 to November 4-5 will be offered around the nation to prepare priests and diocesan leaders for implementation of the revised Roman Missal.
Bishops Conference Launches Por Tu Matrimonio, A Spanish Website On Marriage For Couples
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched this week www.PorTuMatrimonio.org, a new Web site in Spanish for couples. The Website, completely in Spanish, is the Hispanic version of the popular www.ForYourMarriage.org, although it is not a translation of it, said Alejandro Aguilera-Titus director for Hispanic Affairs of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church and coordinator of the project. The initiative responds to the bishops’ current priorities on marriage and cultural diversity with special emphasis on Hispanics.
USCCB President Clarifies Status of New Ways Ministry
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I, archbishop of Chicago and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on the status of the organization "New Ways Ministry":
New Ways Ministry is an organization based in Mount Rainier, Maryland, that describes itself as "a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities."
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
