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In case you're wondering what eternal purposes bishop's conferences serve,you may (or may not) be reassured to know that they are in the thick of the fight against global warming. At least that is what one can conclude from the joint letter that the presidents of the Bishops conferences in the G8 countries on June 20th sent to President George Bush and the heads of state of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and Russia. The letter urges the leaders, who met in Hokkaido, Japan, last week, to address the issue of climate change. "We pray that your meeting...

The Vatican has recently confirmed that anyone who attempts the priestly ordination of a woman will incur automatic excommunication. At the same time, this year’s Lambeth convocation of the world’s Anglican leaders has opened the way for the ordination and consecration of female bishops. To the Anglicans at Lambeth, the issue is no doubt obvious. But the question of the ordination of women is just the tip of an iceberg. Slaves to Fashion The contemporary West is largely existentialist. By this I mean that we instinctively believe that there is no particular order and meaning to the universe apart from...

Washington, Jul. 7, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The US bishops have rejected the latest proposed English translation of the liturgical prayers from the Roman Missal. In a mail-in ballot, support for the proposed translation fell well short of the two-thirds required for approval by the US bishops' conference. The mail ballot became necessary because of an inconclusive vote at a June meeting of the episcopal conference. The proposed translation was for "Proper" prayers for the Mass: the prayers for particular feasts and liturgical seasons. The US bishops have already given their consent to an English translation of the unchanging prayers of...

The headlines and dramatic photos rush by during a papal visit, framing the sound bites that journalists uncover in stacks of Vatican speech texts.So Pope Benedict XVI visited the White House and proclaimed “God bless America!� Then he noted that, in this culture of radical individualism, “Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility.�The former theology professor, speaking to Catholic college leaders, enthusiastically embraced academic freedom. Then he stressed that traditional doctrine — as “upheld by the Church’s Magisterium� — should shape all aspects of a truly Catholic “institution’s life, both inside and outside the...

The Catholic Left is hanging itself right before our eyes. Having never come to grips with the Church's teachings on sexuality, they are now tightening the noose on themselves in public. It is not a pretty sight. This month alone they have embroiled themselves in a debate with three separate archbishops, with no end in sight.... At bottom, it is not the Catholic Left's quarrel with three archbishops that is doing them in; it is their total failure to convince Catholics (as well as non-Catholics) that it is okay to vote for NARAL-approved candidates for public office and then claim...

Now that Benedict has come and gone we are in the thick of media analysis of the meaning of it all. Many folk (Rod Dreher is a notable example) were (as I expected) disappointed because the pope didn't "do something" about bishops who have, to say the least, not particularly distinguished themselves in the Scandal. Dreher wanted a "read them the riot act" moment. Others scattered around the secular and mainstream media talked about Benedict "firing" them and so forth. The pope, as you might expect, addressed the bishops and (as you also might expect given his high degree of...

In a phrase: it's turning heads. I've posted the full text here for you to read yourself. John Allen summarizes here. Pope Benedict also held a Q&A session with the bishops, which CNA has posted here. As far as reactions go, Tim Drake starts us off with some comments from lay people and bishops. Russell Shaw at OSV, meanwhile, calls the speech "A bit of a bombshell" and says "If the bishops were looking for an agenda, they have one now." Alehandro Bermudez, the editor of CNA blogging for the New York Times, takes Pope Benedict to mean "Catholics...

Like most Maryland Democrats, I voted for Sen. Barack Obama in the recent Potomac Primary. By doing so, according to the leaders of my church, I put my soul at risk. That's right, says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- tap the touch screen for a pro-abortion-rights candidate, and you're probably punching your ticket to Hell. For a church that "thinks in centuries," things sure are moving quickly. Back in 2004, as Washington correspondent for the independent National Catholic Reporter, I covered what Comedy Central's Jon Stewart dubbed the "wafer wars." A handful of conservative bishops warned Democratic presidential...

‘BULLIED’: 15-year-old Catrina McDermott, who was suspended for wearing religious badges, one representing St Patrick, the other a guardian angel PICTURE: Courtesy Fermanagh Herald THE Catholic bishops have refused to back the stand taken by a 15-year-old girl suspended from a Catholic school for wearing emblems of her faith. Catrina McDermott was suspended from St Eugene’s College in Roslea, Co Fermanagh, this week because she refused to remove or hide two religious badges. Her parents said the fourth-year pupil had been wearing the St Patrick and guardian angel symbols on her lapel to give her comfort following bullying when she...

In the past few months, Holy Smoke has occasionally hinted that the Bishops of England and Wales have been less that totally enthusiastic in their response to recent papal initiatives. But perhaps I’ve been too harsh. Judge for yourselves. Here is a little review of the year that I’ve drawn up. March: The Pope releases Sacramentum Caritatis, a historic, 60-page statement on the Eucharist. The English and Welsh bishops ignore it for two days, before finally posting three paragraphs on their website.June: It is revealed that Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor has written to the Vatican arguing against moves to allow Catholics greater...

"The Archdiocese of Baltimore is grateful that the Conference withdrew the review because it caused much confusion in the Catholic Community," Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien said in an e-mailed statement. "From all reports, the review failed to adequately warn parents about the movie's widely recognized dark themes and anti-Catholic imagery." . . . "We saw this thing exploding over the weekend," Donohue said. "It was just a matter of time before they had to take it down."

US Bishops asked to Fire Chief Film Critic over Glowing Reviews for "Brokeback" and "Compass" "Bishops horrified at what has been done in their name" By John-Henry Westen WASHINGTON, DC, December 3, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Bishops of the United States are being asked to fire the chief movie reviewer for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Harry Forbes, the Director of the USCCB Office for Film and Broadcasting, has reignited scandal by praising the film "The Golden Compass" which is based on an anti-Catholic novel. Forbes caused similar controversy two years ago when he issued a glowing...

CNN, during a report on Thursday’s "The Situation Room," mislead its viewers by reporting that a new document issued by the Catholic bishops on voting stated that "the candidate who supports abortion rights shouldn't necessarily be counted out for your vote." Besides this misrepresentation, the report also highlighted the issue of denying pro-abortion politicians Communion. CNN correspondent Mary Snow reported that some "critics" state that "the Communion question was created by extremists, and they hope they're shut out of this election cycle." Speaking of "shutting out," conservative and faithful Catholics were not featured at all in the report. Instead, Snow...

Although not a religious person myself, I am usually in favor of a revitalization of Christianity in Europe. However, I sometimes have my doubts when I see how many, too many, church leaders consistently end up on the wrong side of issues related to Islam and Muslim immigration. Bat Ye'or claims that dhimmitude in the Middle East has often progressed because Christian leaders have sold out their own people, either for short-term personal gains or in the mistaken belief that they have a "shared religious heritage" with Muslims. It is also frequently Christian leaders and bishops in the West who...

Paprocki's Science of Right   Posted by: Diogenes - Nov. 10, 2007 2:10 PM ET USA The Chicago Tribune reports on a Red Mass sermon by Chicago Bishop Thomas Paprocki concerning the legal attacks leveled at the Church since the Boston massacre was reported in 2002.  Bishop Tom sees the recent legal attacks as two-pronged:  "The settlement or award of civil damages (for clerical sexual abuse) is punishing the wrong people, namely the average parishioner or donor whose financial contributions support the church but who have no role in the supervision of clergy..." And its inspiration:"This attack is particularly directed...

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the Plymouth Duster of the U.S. Bishops Conference, a relic of early-1970s social activism that -- except for its value as a fashion statement -- was a disappointment when it was launched and hasn't improved with age. Yesterday we were given our official annual spadeful of the 40-year-old rhetoric: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) distributed more than $9.5 million in grants to local organizations working to overcome poverty in the United States. The 2007, grants, totaling $9,578,000, will be used by 314 projects in 46 states, the District of Columbia and...

Commentary by Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President, Human Life International On September 28th the Connecticut bishops issued an unfortunate statement allowing the Plan B abortion-causing drug to be used in cases of rape in Catholic hospitals. I have written respectfully and urgently to the Connecticut Catholic Conference (CCC) and to each bishop individually to ask them to withdraw this potentially precedent-setting statement, and I pray that they do so. I am extremely concerned that this statement will begin to have a domino effect on other Catholic hospitals and healthcare institutions, and I write to you today to ask your...

Here's the USCCB banner that solves the sex abuse crisis, right off the front page of their wonderous web site. Order one for your church today! Don't know about you, but I feel a lot safer just looking at it. The colors are so pretty! It takes a bishop to recognize that the line between evangelization and marketing is very fine ... as fine as the Rio Grande, and just as straight (pun intended). Let's all repeat it again just to say we did: "What the Church needs is holiness, not management." A priest friend of mine has pointed out...

Well, it looks like the USCCB is just going to thumb it's collective nose at anyone who is rude enough to continue to be concerned about this Kathy Saile scandal. For your PP, the scandal has two layers: (1) her appointment, and (2) the very existence of the office to which she has been appointed, which basically translates into The Office of LetUsTellYouWhatYouShouldBeConcernedAbout. A great triumph for Vatican II's notion of the "Apostolate of the Laity (so long as the laity agree with us)" -- the last bit being in the fine print that was inadvertently left out of most...

Connecticut Bishops Allow Plan B in Catholic Hospitals for Rape - Catholic Medical Association Opposed Vatican stated in 2000 "the absolute unlawfulness of abortifacient procedures also applies to distributing, prescribing and taking the morning-after pill" By John-Henry Westen HARTFORD, September 28, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A statement issued by the Connecticut Catholic Bishops yesterday, which is posted on the Catholic Conference's web page, notes that the Bishops have approved the administration of the morning after pill Plan B for rape victims at the four Catholic hospitals in the state.  While the Bishops claim to be in accord with Church teaching on...

US Conference of Bishops Asserts New Appointee is Pro-Life By John-Henry Westen and Matthew Cullinan Hoffman WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Monday LifeSiteNews.com published a story on Kathy Saile, who was recently named Director of Domestic Policy for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).  Evidence on the internet and commentary on various blogs pointed strongly to the possibility that the new USCCB Director supported abortion.  Calls to confirm or deny the allegations were not returned by USCCB communications official Sr. Mary Anne Walsh. In response to queries from concerned LifeSiteNews.com readers, the USCCB has now...

09:49 AM 9/14/2007 - First, read this press release from the USCCB web site (hat-tip to the ever-vigilant Diogenes): WASHINGTON (September 13, 2007)—Kathy Saile, a church advocate with a decade of experience in Catholic social ministry and Washington policy work, has been named Director of Domestic Policy for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). She starts her new position in October. Since August 2004, Saile has been Associate Director of Public Policy for Lutheran Services in America (USA), in Washington. Previous positions include Director of the Office of Peace and Justice, Catholic Social Service of Central and Northern...

There seems to always be a discussion going on about the authority of the Pope in the Catholic Church, but I have long wondered about the authority figure, government set up, in other denominations also. I spent 10 years in the Baptist church, and after studying some on this topic, IMO, the Baptist's, independent, and Southern both, don't have it right either. I have seen in several Baptist Churches where they have "Head" Pastors/preachers, and "Associate/Assistant" Pastors, "youth" pastors. But in these churches the Head Pastors had the "final" say in any decisions or settling any disputes, he is in...

A question I have heard frequently among conservative Catholics is "Why doesn’t the pope do something about those bad bishops?" The question usually is prompted by frustration with a perceived lack of orthodoxy or zeal on the part of some bishop. Catholics in some places face situations in which it seems the bishop turns a blind eye to heterodoxy and dissent—or even appears to give them his blessing. Faced with such dysfunctional diocesan environments, they naturally look to Rome for relief and redress, but often are disappointed to find that help is slow in coming, if it ever comes at...

Leaders of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have agreed to meet with a group of 14 Democratic lawmakers to discuss how they might work together to end US military involvement in Iraq. In fact the USCCB has already done its little bit by issuing a press release to call attention to the Democratic legislators' cause. Who are these Democratic politicians, who find such a ready audience at the USCCB? They're Catholic members of the House of Representatives. And half of them-- including Rep. Tim Ryan, who is leading the charge on Iraq-- also signed a May public statement scolding...

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a letter to William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane, Washington and sitting president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Amnesty International has "corrected" the statement put out by the Conference earlier this month criticising the human rights group for their recently adopted support for abortion as an international human right. Until recently, Amnesty's position on abortion was official neutrality. In April, however, Amnesty joined the ranks of the world's abortion-promoting organizations by a series of decisions to consider abortion - in the cases of rape and incest and when the "life or...

Roman Curia: The Reform That Isn't There Appointments made at a snail's pace. Documents that are useless or continually delayed. Offices drifting aimlessly. Why the renewal of the Vatican bureaucracy is not a priority for Benedict XVI by Sandro Magister ROMA, June 28, 2007 – The last great reform of the Vatican curia was made by Paul VI in the fifth year of his pontificate. Benedict XVI is in his third year, but there’s nothing to indicate that he is preparing anything similar. The few appointments made in the curia so far by pope Joseph Ratzinger, interpreted by almost everyone...

We have some friends whose son will be confirmed next month. He's a great kid. He'd like us to attend the confirmation, but it's invitation-only, and tickets are limited. His mom is trying to get extra tickets for us. We'd love to go. I've been asked a question by the mom about something the young man wishes to do. He'd like to ask the bishop, his parish priest, and his sponsor to autograph the Bible that he received as part of his confirmation preparation classes. His mother is concerned about the propriety of this, especially that the bishop might object....

Migration and Refugee Services United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 Dear Most Reverend Bishops, As a Roman Catholic, I am mystified by your stand in this debate regarding illegal immigration. As an American, I am outraged by it. First, I would ask that you honestly frame this issue. No one (except an extreme fringe) has argued against immigrants—we are a nation of immigrants. This is an issue about illegal immigration. Truth is better served when all sides honestly debate. Your five principles: 1) To make family a priority in immigration law. Why shouldn’t...

MEETING AND CELEBRATION OF VESPERS WITH THE BISHOPS OF BRAZILADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVICatedral da Sé, São PauloFriday, 11 May 2007  Dear Brother Bishops!Although he was the Son of God, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."  (cf. Heb 5:8-9).1. The text we have just heard in the Lesson for Vespers contains a profound teaching. Once again we realize that God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword; it penetrates to the depths of the soul and it grants solace and...

Fails to Take Families Into Account, They Say WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- U.S. bishops have warned lawmakers that President George Bush's recent proposals for immigration reform would be "a step in the wrong direction." Bishop Gerald Barnes wrote on Thursday in an open letter to Congress: "Although we appreciate the president's initiative in encouraging comprehensive immigration reform, we see this proposal as a step in the wrong direction." Bishop Barnes, the chairman of the U.S. episcopal conference's migration committee, added: "In our view, any reform legislation must include a viable path to permanent residency for the undocumented population;...

Two years into his reign, Pope Benedict XVI is finally poised to make a major mark on American Catholicism with a string of key bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of U.S. seminaries and bishops' involvement in politics. Benedict's election on April 19, 2005, shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hard-liner. So far, they have found an easier hand - and someone who has not made the United States much of a priority. When Benedict has gained attention, it has mostly been on the world stage, focusing on the re-Christianization of Europe, Islam and mending...

HARARE, Zimbabwe - In an Easter message pinned to church bulletin boards around the country, Zimbabwe's Roman Catholic bishops called on President Robert Mugabe to leave office or face "open revolt" from those suffering under his government. The letter, titled "God Hears the Cries of the Oppressed," was the most critical pastoral message since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain in 1980 and Mugabe assumed leadership of the country for the first time. Once prosperous, the country is reeling under hyperinflation of more than 1,700 percent, 80 percent unemployment, shortages of food and other basic goods and one of the world's...

A DIRECTIVE by Italian bishops ordering Catholic politicians to vote against gay rights legislation has caused a political uproar and prompted fresh charges of Church interference in domestic affairs. The long-awaited note, issued yesterday by the Italian Bishops Conference, was significant because it specifically targeted politicians as they consider a law to give homosexual and heterosexual unmarried couples more rights. While not specifying any punishment by the Church, it says Catholics could not hide behind "the principle of pluralism" or compromise on what it called the ethical needs of society. The note said Catholic politicians had "the moral duty to...

Translation of original article in German. The President of the Jewish Central Council of Germany Charlotte Knobloch- "insinuations which were right at the border of anti-semitism. " German Bishops have caused frictions on their visit to the Near East, Charlotte Knobloch says that the statements made by them were “at the border of anti-semitism”. The Bishops had compared Palestinian towns with the Warsaw Ghetto.

Hours after historic visit to Jerusalem holocaust museum, group of German bishops tour Palestinian Authority, say Israel behaving like Nazis Eldad Beck Published: 03.06.07, 10:24 / Israel News BERLIN - "This morning we saw pictures of the Warsaw ghetto at Yad Vashem and this evening we are going to the Ramallah ghetto." Several hours earlier on Sunday you probably would not have heard German Bishop Gregor Maria Franz Hanke choose such a divisive analogy. But then on Sunday morning he was still in Israel and the rhetoric was considerably different than the one elected by the German Bishops' Conference once...

"In the thirteenth century many priests were involved in seeking wealth and having a pleasant life. They hardly preached at all, virtually never studied, and paid for important positions so that they could get even more money. A number of priests openly lived with women, causing great scandal... Many of the people were just as bad as their leaders..."

A split within the Episcopal Church has begun and is on its way to court -- something akin to "divorce court," it seems. More than 100 Episcopal parishes -- and some dioceses -- have either left the denomination or requested alternative oversight within the worldwide Anglican Communion. One of them is St. Stephen's Church in Heathsville, Va. "We left the Episcopal Church because we could no longer be under the leadership of people who have the attitude that they did about the authority of Scripture," said the Rev. Jeffrey Cerar, rector of St. Stephen's. "Starting several years ago, the Episcopal...

WASHINGTON, DC, February 7, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "Saving Those Damned Catholics" exposes the warts on the underbelly of the Catholic leadership in America today, and it is not a pretty picture. Too many among them are caught up in a twisted vision of what it takes to effectively lead Catholics. There is too much moral relativism and too little desire to say what is right, especially when doing so will bring down the wrath of the media and maybe even a few politicians."  So reads a teaser on the website which markets 'Saving those Damned Catholics' the new book by...

This analysis began with the question, “Does the bishop matter?” It arrives at an interesting pair of conclusions. The �rst is that there is no problem ailing the Catholic Church in America that is not being addressed successfully in some place, and typically in multiple places. Second, there is a cadre of bishops, invisible to the national media, largely unknown outside their dioceses, absent from Washington political circles, who are trulyunsung heroes of the Church, presiding over vibrant communities, building the Church, and effectively proclaiming the Faith—men such as Bishop Joseph Kurtz of Knoxville, Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe,...

WASHINGTON, January 8, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro-abortion House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful Catholic in Congress is recasting her image as a Italian Catholic mother, despite her stark defiance of the Catholic Church’s teachings opposing abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage.  The Speaker publicized well in advance her visits to St. Leo the Great church in Baltimore and attendance of a special Mass at Trinity University offered for victims of hurricane Katrina and of the Darfur genocide, as part of her plan to propel the image of a good Roman Catholic mother and grandmother at home in the...

Full Text - New US Bishops Conference Document on Homosexuality Full Text - New US Bishops Conference Document on Worthiness to Receive Communion Full Text - New US Bishops Conference Document on Married Love including Contraception

The U.S. bishops urged the House of Representatives to reject a bill that would fund research requiring the destruction of human embryos. The bishops called instead for greater support for more promising and morally acceptable research, using stem cells from adult tissues and from the byproducts of live birth such as cord blood, amniotic fluid and placentas.  The appeal was made in a January 9 letter from Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities.   "The sad reality is that many promising avenues of medical progress have received inadequate funding and attention on the road to human...

P. 97 THE NINTH ARTICLE (of the Apostles' Creed) "..Later times were to behold wicked men, imitative as the ape that would like to pass for a human being, who arrogate to themselves exclusively the name of Catholic;"

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- In a far-reaching move the U.S. bishops voted Nov. 14 to restructure their national operations significantly. They sharply reduced the number of committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved a 16 percent cut in diocesan assessments for the conference in 2008 -- decisions that will result in downsizing their national staff by eliminating about 60 jobs. Despite strenuous objections by some bishops over some of the planned staff cuts, the bishops adopted the comprehensive program of reorganization and strategic planning for 2008-2011 by a 213-19 vote. Heads of dioceses then, in a 158-6 vote,...

At the close of Sunday night's liturgy, I was asked if this week's meeting would have a closing Mass. After replying that USCCB plenaries only have big Eucharists at their opening, I realized that, this year, it was an erroneous statement. Tomorrow afternoon, many of the bishops'll be boarding buses to the nation's capital for a Mass celebrating the dedication of the newly-completed "Redemption Dome" at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The 4pm liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Donald Wuerl with the chair of the National Shrine's iconography committee, Cardinal Justin Rigali, as...

"Gravely flawed" – that's the dire warning of medical experts who have seen copies of the proposed guidelines for "Ministry to Persons with Homosexual Inclinations," to be released by the Catholic Bishops of the United States at their annual conference in Baltimore next week.

By Michael DrakeWe live at a time when extreme moral decadence and a loss of the sense of evil and sin coexist with technological advances unprecedented in history. If not contained within proper moral limits, this very progress can turn into catastrophe.  In the coming elections, many initiatives are being put to the vote which will address moral aberrations such as abortion and homosexual “marriage.” Others will address ethical issues involving biotechnology calling for the destruction of human embryos for cloning or embryonic stem cell research.Such initiatives find support in activist judges and liberal legislators determined to impose this anti-natural...

professionals recommended the U.S. bishops "rescind the safe-environment mandate as it applies to children and adolescents and discontinue all child-empowerment programs for preventing child sexual abuse." http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52716

Grave questions about bishops' child-abuse prevention... Professionals recommended the U.S. bishops "rescind the safe-environment mandate as it applies to children and adolescents and discontinue all child-empowerment programs for preventing child sexual abuse."