Recent News

Most Recent News
May 23 2008 - 05 Bishop Wenski Calls For Priority For The Poor In Senate Climate Change Debate
WASHINGTON – The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace declared “a central moral measure of climate change legislation is how it touches the poor and vulnerable.” Speaking at a press briefing that included the sponsors of Senate climate change legislation (S. 2191) and interreligious leaders, Bishop Thomas Wenski said, “The real ‘inconvenient truth’ is that those who contribute least to climate change will be affected the most and have the least capacity to cope or escape. The poor and vulnerable are most likely to pay the price of inaction or unwise actions. We know from our everyday experience their lives, homes, children, and work are most at risk.”

“As Catholic bishops, we are not here to endorse the many details of this or any other legislation,” said Bishop Wenski, “but we welcome and support… leadership in lifting up and seriously addressing how climate change will disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable in our country and around the world.”

Bishop Wenski’s complete statement follows:

“Seven years ago, the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted a major statement on the moral dimensions of climate change, A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good. Pope Benedict XVI is making caring for creation and climate change central themes of his global leadership. The U.S. Catholic bishops insist that responding to climate change raises fundamental questions of morality and justice, fairness and shared sacrifice. As bishops, we lead a Church, not an interest group. We are not ‘the environmental movement at prayer.’ Rather we lead communities of faith that have been called to care for God’s creation and the poor since Genesis.

“We have called for principled, constructive, realistic and civil discussion on climate change. This essential and long overdue national debate is moving forward. For this, we can especially thank Senators Boxer, Lieberman and Warner who have exercised strong leadership and introduced this groundbreaking legislation. As Catholic bishops, we are not here to endorse the many details of this or any other legislation, but we welcome and support their leadership in lifting up and seriously addressing how climate change will disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable in our country and around the world. This represents a significant advance on previous proposals. We are grateful for the hard work and renewed commitment this represents.

“As our Bishops’ Conference testified before Senator Boxer’s Committee,

‘The real “inconvenient truth” is that those who contribute least to climate change will be affected the most and have the least capacity to cope or escape. The poor and vulnerable are most likely to pay the price of inaction or unwise actions. We know from our everyday experience their lives, homes, children, and work are most at risk.’

“We have been working with our religious partners and with these Senate leaders to make clear that a central moral measure of climate change legislation is how it touches the poor and vulnerable. We particularly welcome the essential provisions which offer substantial resources and other much needed assistance to poor persons and poor countries for adaptation and mitigation of climate change. We will continue to work with these Senate leaders and others to build on and strengthen these essential commitments and to assure that those with the greatest needs receive the most help through effective, targeted and workable allocations and programs.

“As religious leaders we make a plea for strong, bi-partisan action on climate change which reflects the old-fashioned virtue of prudence and a genuine commitment to the common good. Protecting God’s creation and “the least of these” requires urgent, wise and bold action. We join our religious partners in working to advance this essential moral, national and global priority.”
May 23 2008 - 05 Visible Unity In Faith And Eucharistic Fellowship Stressed At Faith And Order Commission Meeting In Atlanta
WASHINGTON—The need for visible unity in faith and Eucharistic fellowship was stressed at the April 3-5 meeting of the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches (NCC). The commission, which met at Morehouse College in Atlanta, inaugurated its 2008-2011 quadrennium at the meeting.

The official Catholic delegation to the commission included theologians Christopher Ruddy, Ph.D., of the University of St. Thomas, Holy Cross Father John Ford, of The Catholic University of America, and Barbara Sain, Ph.D., also of St. Thomas University.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, recently-elected General Secretary of the NCC and long-time participant in the Faith and Order Commission, noted the NCC’s commitment to Faith and Order Commission and challenged the members both to keep foremost the goal of visible unity in faith and Eucharistic fellowship and to assume greater responsibility for the work of the NCC.

Antonios (Tony) Kireopoulos, Ph.D., senior program director for the Commission, introduced the Executive Committee for the new quadrennium: Dr. Anton (Tony) Vrame (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) chair; Aimee Moiso (Presbyterian Church USA),vice-chair; and Ruddy, representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCB), secretary.

The study groups for the 2008-2011 quadrennium are “Justice and Justification: Beyond the Dichotomies,” “Unity in Mission,” and “The Nature and Mission of the Church.”

Justice and Justification seeks points of integration among divergent ecclesial views on justification and justice. Unity in Mission looks at the various dimensions of the church’s mission in the world: proclamation, reconciliation, care and advocacy for the marginalized and neediest. The Nature and Mission of the Church study group examines and ultimately will offer a response to the World Council of Churches document on nature and mission, particularly from the perspective of ecumenism and ecclesial life in the United States.

Each study group is led by two co-conveners who will serve until permanent chairs are selected at the Commission meeting in October. The co-conveners for Justification and Justice are Dr. Terry Cross (Society for Pentecostal Studies) of Lee University, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Theresa Koernke of the Washington Theological Union. The co-conveners for Unity in Mission are Dr. Don Thorsen (Wesleyan Theological Society) of the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University and Dr. Mitzi Budde (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) of Virginia Theological Seminary. The co-conveners for The Nature and Mission of the Church are Dr. Peter Bouteneff (Orthodox Church in America) of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Rev. Sophie Mathonnet-Vanderwell (Reformed Church in America) of the Second Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.

The USCCB has participated in the Faith and Order Commission since 1968. Its next meeting will be October 16-18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
May 23 2008 - 05 ‘Choosing To Forgive’ An Interfaith Religion Special To Air Sunday, June 8, On The Cbs Network
WASHINGTON – Choosing to Forgive, an interfaith religion special on the meaning and practice of forgiveness, will be broadcast Sunday, June 8 on the CBS Television Network. For exact airing time check your local station.

Choosing to Forgive presents the idea of forgiveness from both a religious and a scientific point of view. Several major faiths teach we must forgive those who do us wrong. In recent years, the subject has interested psychologists who have studied it as a potentially effective means of getting past wrongs and injustices.

This special presentation is produced in cooperation with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC), including the National Council of Churches, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), a consortium of Jewish organizations and the Islamic Society of North America.

“IBC suggests a variety of ideas to the CBS production staff. We look for topics that relate to many faiths. Forgiveness seemed a natural topic for all,” said Ellen McCloskey, assistant director of the USCCB’s Office of Digital Media.

The broadcast features Robert Enright, Ph.D., author and professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who has championed the cause of forgiveness therapy as a scientific tool. He and his wife have introduced forgiveness education into the curricula of elementary schools (the first in Belfast, Northern Ireland; and then Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin) as a way of training children to cope peacefully with stress and challenge.

The broadcast also includes interviews with several individuals who have moved successfully in life despite terrifying experiences. Some have done so through an act of faith and others have had therapy.

Lynn McGuinn and Talat Hamdani lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center; Eric Wurzel, whose mother deserted him as a child, became addicted to drugs and alcohol for 30 years and was able to forgive himself and his family; Rev. Walt Everett, whose son was murdered in 1987, befriended the killer over time and the two have appeared together to tell their stories and speak about forgiveness.

Ada Wolf's son was murdered by an off-duty airman in 1965, and yet grew over time to forgive and admire the killer; and Grace Roidt suffered for more than 30 years before talking to forgiveness therapists about her dysfunctional family and an older brother who raped her. Grace was able to get past the crimes of her youth with the help of Suzanne Freedman, Ph.D., now an associate professor at the University of Northern Iowa, who convinced her to try.

The special also includes a visit to St. James Catholic School in Madison, to see first graders learn the basic steps in forgiveness. The program hopes to aid them in choosing to forgive throughout their lives.

John P. Blessington is the executive producer and Ted Homes is the producer of Choosing to Forgive.

Previous News for 2008

May
May 23 2008 - 05 Bishop Wenski Calls For Priority For The Poor In Senate Climate Change Debate
May 23 2008 - 05 Visible Unity In Faith And Eucharistic Fellowship Stressed At Faith And Order Commission Meeting In Atlanta
May 23 2008 - 05 ‘Choosing To Forgive’ An Interfaith Religion Special To Air Sunday, June 8, On The Cbs Network
May 01 2008 - 05 USCCB Official Praises Senate Passage Of ‘Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’
May 01 2008 - 05 National Migration Conference To Focus On Challenges, Abuses Faced By Refugees, Migrants, Human Trafficking Victims
May 01 2008 - 05 MINNESOTA SEMINARY RECTOR NAMED USCCB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CLERGY, CONSECRATED LIFE, VOCATIONS
May 01 2008 - 05 Cardinal Rigali Welcomes Proposed Human/Animal Hybrid Ban

April
Apr 24 2008 - 04 Farewell Papa!
Apr 15 2008 - 04 USCCB To Stream Papal Visit Events Live On The Web
Apr 15 2008 - 04 Pope, Bishops Get High Marks For Leadership, Cara Poll Finds Millennials Resemble Pre-Vatican II Catholics in Attitudes, Practices
Apr 15 2008 - 04 Pope to Pray at Ground Zero
Apr 15 2008 - 04 Pope Names Bishops For Des Moines, Little Rock Dioceses, Auxiliaries For San Antonio, Denver, San Francisco Archdioceses

March
Mar 28 2008 - 03 Bishops Approve $470,000 For Catholic Home Missions In Special Funding Cycle
Mar 28 2008 - 03 Pope Benedict Xvi, President Bush To Meet At White House
Mar 21 2008 - 03 President Bush To Greet Pope Benedict Upon Arrival At Andrews
Mar 14 2008 - 03 Bishops Express Sorrow At Death Of Iraqi Archbishop
Mar 13 2008 - 03 Catholic Campaign For Human Development Honors Florida’s Coalition Of Immokalee Workers
Mar 13 2008 - 03 USCCB Migration Committee Meets With Top Enforcement Official To Discuss Immigration Raids, Concern For Children
Mar 13 2008 - 03 Thousands Of Every Age And Background Will Enter The Catholic Church On Holy Saturday
Mar 13 2008 - 03 USCCB LAUNCHES PAPAL VISIT BLOG
Mar 08 2008 - 03 Catholic Bishops Welcome New Bill For Global HIV/AIDS Relief
Mar 08 2008 - 03 U.S. Bishops’ National Advisory Council Adds New Members
Mar 08 2008 - 03 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.

Feburary
Feb 28 2008 - 02 U.S. Bishops’ Justice For Immigrants Campaign Hires New Director
Feb 28 2008 - 02 Pope Accepts Resignation Of Lansing Bishop Mengeling, Names Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea To Succeed Him
Feb 28 2008 - 02 Vatican Appoints U.S. Delegates To October Synod On Scripture
Feb 22 2008 - 02 Catholic Relief Services Collection Funds Assistance To Iraqi Refugees
Feb 15 2008 - 02 Book On Priest Identity Published By USCCB'S Father David Toups
Feb 15 2008 - 02 U.S., Canadian And Latin American Bishops Meet On Long Island To Reflect On Aparecida's Final Document And Continental Mission
Feb 15 2008 - 02 Response To The Publication Of Pope Benedict XVI’s Revision Of The 1962 Good Friday Prayer For The Jewish People
Feb 08 2008 - 02 For Valentine’s, Do Something Special “For Your Marriage”
Feb 08 2008 - 02 USCCB Offers Multimedia Online Resources For Lent
Feb 08 2008 - 02 ‘Love Is The Only Light’, Message Of 2008 Collection For Church In Central And Eastern Europe
Feb 03 2008 - 02 U.S. Bishops Urge Priority For Poor Families In National Response To Economic Stress
Feb 03 2008 - 02 North American And European Bishops Offer Hope And Prayers For Just Peace In The Holy Land
Feb 03 2008 - 02 Sister Dorothy Marie Hennessey, peace activist jailed at age 88, dies
Feb 02 2008 - 02 Family video of the week:

Previous News for 2007

September
Sep 06 2007 - 09 Catholic Church Leaders Urge Senate To Increase Funding For Development, Humanitarian Needs Abroad
Sep 05 2007 - 09 British musicians send pope iPod nano packed with modern church music
Sep 04 2007 - 09 Two 'freshmen' from France hope to touch hearts at N.J. university

August
Aug 31 2007 - 08 Program On Los Angeles Cathedral Tapestries To Air On ABC
Aug 27 2007 - 08 Bishops’ Annual Labor Day Statement Stresses Catholic Teaching On Work; Urges Restart Of Immigration Debate

July
Jul 11 2007 - 07 Protestant groups dismayed at new document on identity of 'church'
Jul 11 2007 - 07 Protestant groups dismayed at new document on identity of 'church'
Jul 10 2007 - 07 Religious freedom at risk in Asia, North Africa, research shows
Jul 10 2007 - 07 Undocumented immigrants not same as criminals, says Vatican official
Jul 10 2007 - 07 Religious freedom at risk in Asia, North Africa, research shows
Jul 10 2007 - 07 Undocumented immigrants not same as criminals, says Vatican official
Jul 06 2007 - 07 Anthony R. Picarello Jr. appointed USCCB General Counsel
Jul 06 2007 - 07 Anthony R. Picarello Jr. appointed USCCB General Counsel
Jul 02 2007 - 07 Catholic Bishops Urge Amnesty International to Restore Its Neutral Position on Abortion
Jul 02 2007 - 07 Catholic Bishops Urge Amnesty International to Restore Its Neutral Position on Abortion

April
Apr 10 2007 - 04 Pope Accepts Resignation of Bishop Joseph Charron of Des Moines
Apr 10 2007 - 04 Pope Accepts Resignation of Bishop Joseph Charron of Des Moines
Apr 09 2007 - 04 New study of U.S. Catholics cites young adults as problem for church
Apr 09 2007 - 04 New study of U.S. Catholics cites young adults as problem for church
Apr 05 2007 - 04 Cardinal Rigali Urges Senate to Reject Stem Cell Legislation Promoting Destruction of Human Life
Apr 05 2007 - 04 Cardinal Rigali Urges Senate to Reject Stem Cell Legislation Promoting Destruction of Human Life
Apr 03 2007 - 04 Thousands Joining Catholic Church Holy Saturday; Among Them Priests Father, Family of Ten
Apr 03 2007 - 04 Thousands Joining Catholic Church Holy Saturday; Among Them Priests Father, Family of Ten
Apr 01 2007 - 04 TV film fare -- week of Apr. 1
Apr 01 2007 - 04 TV film fare -- week of Apr. 1

March
Mar 29 2007 - 03 Pro-Life Official Hails Reintroduction of Genuine Cloning Ban
Mar 29 2007 - 03 Pro-Life Official Hails Reintroduction of Genuine Cloning Ban

Previous News for 2006

November
Nov 29 2006 - 11 Pope, Orthodox patriarch pray together, renew commitment to unity
Nov 29 2006 - 11 Aides breathe sigh of relief after pope's first day in Turkey
Nov 29 2006 - 11 Pope, Orthodox patriarch pray together, renew commitment to unity
Nov 29 2006 - 11 Aides breathe sigh of relief after pope's first day in Turkey
Nov 28 2006 - 11 'Picturing Mary' documentary ready for debut on public television
Nov 28 2006 - 11 In Turkey, pope offers friendship to predominantly Muslim population
Nov 28 2006 - 11 'Picturing Mary' documentary ready for debut on public television
Nov 28 2006 - 11 In Turkey, pope offers friendship to predominantly Muslim population

August
Aug 18 2006 - 08 Chaldean Catholic priest kidnapped in Baghdad
Aug 18 2006 - 08 Chaldean Catholic priest kidnapped in Baghdad
Aug 17 2006 - 08 Catholic initiative offers housing, hope to New Orleans families
Aug 17 2006 - 08 Israeli Catholics gather in Nazareth to pray for peace
Aug 17 2006 - 08 Catholic initiative offers housing, hope to New Orleans families
Aug 17 2006 - 08 Israeli Catholics gather in Nazareth to pray for peace
Aug 15 2006 - 08 Pro-Life Spokesperson Objects to FDA Action on Morning-After Pill
Aug 15 2006 - 08 Pro-Life Spokesperson Objects to FDA Action on Morning-After Pill

July
Jul 19 2006 - 07 From the Christian Coalition - President Bush issues his first veto on Stem Cell Research
Jul 19 2006 - 07 From the Christian Coalition - President Bush issues his first veto on Stem Cell Research
Jul 17 2006 - 07 Message From the Vatican From Pope Benedict XVI
Jul 17 2006 - 07 Message From the Vatican From Pope Benedict XVI

June
Jun 08 2006 - 06 High school named for late pope now has his ski jacket on display
Jun 08 2006 - 06 High school named for late pope now has his ski jacket on display
Jun 06 2006 - 06 Catholic University students perform 'Requiem' at site of Nazi camp
Jun 06 2006 - 06 Bishop Says Broadcasters Should Be Required to Provide Programming That Better Serves The Public In The Digital Age
Jun 06 2006 - 06 Catholic University students perform 'Requiem' at site of Nazi camp
Jun 06 2006 - 06 Bishop Says Broadcasters Should Be Required to Provide Programming That Better Serves The Public In The Digital Age
Jun 05 2006 - 06 Practice medicine from the heart, says speaker at CHA opening session
Jun 05 2006 - 06 Practice medicine from the heart, says speaker at CHA opening session
Jun 01 2006 - 06 Hispanic Catholic Young Adults, Diocesan Leaders To Meet For National Encuentro
Jun 01 2006 - 06 Hispanic Catholic Young Adults, Diocesan Leaders To Meet For National Encuentro

May
May 31 2006 - 05 The DaVinci Code Review from The USCCBs Office of Film and Broadcasting
May 31 2006 - 05 New Poll: Americans Continue To Oppose Funding Stem Cell Research That Destroys Human Embryos
May 31 2006 - 05 The DaVinci Code Review from The USCCBs Office of Film and Broadcasting
May 31 2006 - 05 New Poll: Americans Continue To Oppose Funding Stem Cell Research That Destroys Human Embryos
May 26 2006 - 05 Bishops Ask Modifications In Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, Seek Two-State Solution, Meeting Humanitarian Needs
May 26 2006 - 05 Bishops Ask Modifications In Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, Seek Two-State Solution, Meeting Humanitarian Needs
May 25 2006 - 05 Bishop Sees Growing Support For A Marriage Protection Amendment
May 25 2006 - 05 Bishop Sees Growing Support For A Marriage Protection Amendment
May 24 2006 - 05 Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic Dialogue Adopts a "Joint Declaration on Unity
May 24 2006 - 05 Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic Dialogue Adopts a "Joint Declaration on Unity
May 23 2006 - 05 Bishops Conference Urges Supreme Court To Uphold Federal Ban On Partial-Birth Abortion
May 23 2006 - 05 Bishops Conference Urges Supreme Court To Uphold Federal Ban On Partial-Birth Abortion
May 19 2006 - 05 Include Funds For Hurricane Relief, Haiti, In Emergency Supplemental Appropiations Act, Urge Bishops
May 19 2006 - 05 Include Funds For Hurricane Relief, Haiti, In Emergency Supplemental Appropiations Act, Urge Bishops
May 12 2006 - 05 Holly's Law
May 12 2006 - 05 Holly's Law
May 11 2006 - 05 In Letter to Secretary Rice, Bishop Commends Administration's Efforts in Working to Secure End to the Darfur Tragedy
May 11 2006 - 05 In Letter to Secretary Rice, Bishop Commends Administration's Efforts in Working to Secure End to the Darfur Tragedy
May 10 2006 - 05 Conference Official Says Nation Can Meet Its Security Goals While Welcoming Asylum-Seekers, Other Vulnerable Populations
May 10 2006 - 05 Conference Official Says Nation Can Meet Its Security Goals While Welcoming Asylum-Seekers, Other Vulnerable Populations
May 03 2006 - 05 Join the Million Voices for Darfur Campaign
May 03 2006 - 05 Join the Million Voices for Darfur Campaign
May 01 2006 - 05 Catholic Communications Campaign
May 01 2006 - 05 Priests To Be Ordained Older, Better Educated
May 01 2006 - 05 New Priests Include Twins, Grandfathers, Doctors, Lawyers, Former Ministers, Father Of A Priest, Son Of A Deacon
May 01 2006 - 05 Catholic Communications Campaign
May 01 2006 - 05 Priests To Be Ordained Older, Better Educated
May 01 2006 - 05 New Priests Include Twins, Grandfathers, Doctors, Lawyers, Former Ministers, Father Of A Priest, Son Of A Deacon
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