In just-released memoir ‘A Catechism of the Heart: A Jesuit Missioned to the Laity’, Benjamin Brenkert laments order’s betrayal of his dream to be the first openly gay priest in good standing
“Right now, the greatest need in the Church is to return to Jesus and his nonviolence”, insist storied peace activist Father John Dear
“Single-race or predominantly ethnic parishes are not the ideal”, laments Chicago auxiliary Joseph N. Perry, denouncing that “often… our parishes mirror the racial segregation patterns of American neighborhoods”
Holy See urged human rights be “observed and respected in relation to the children of Israel” a quarter of a century before start of Holocaust, reveals Vatican Secretary of State
Bishops plead with President Trump, Attorney General William Barr: “Witness to the dignity of all human life: stop these executions”
The president-elect “has given us reason to believe that he will support policies… against values we hold dear as Catholics”, alerts USCCB head José Gomez
Cardinal Cupich chides bishops who sided with Viganò over Pope Francis in allegations surrounding abuser former cardinal and Archbishop of Washington
“In this hour in our country, our neighbors need the Church more than ever. Now is the hour for Christian witness”, stresses Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles
“I am willing to suffer for the common good and for our sin of not loving our brothers and sisters, a condition that leads to war”, declares Martha Hennessy, 65, at sentencing for break-in at naval base
New justice’s ruling in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia could provide religious organisations with legal cover to discriminate against LGBTQ people… but there’s even more than that at stake
“Leadership that summons Americans to recognise “we are all in the same boat” could heal divisions by bringing voices together over an agenda Catholics and non-Catholics can embrace”
Lay accountability group finds 30% of local Churches either not providing any information online or posting only unaudited reports
“The release of the McCarrick Report shows that bishops wield excessive power and may use it for self-interest as opposed to the good of the Church… For far too long, bishops have acted like temporal lords in their respective dioceses without proper safeguards to temper this lordship”
President-elect tells Jesuit Refugee Service that he will “restore America’s historic role in protecting the vulnerable and defending the rights of refugees everywhere”
“Many individual bishops continue to prioritize Catholic sexual teaching against homosexual acts over and above Catholic social teaching and its prohibition against discrimination”
In blow to Trump, ‘Vatican News’ website refers to Democratic candidate as ‘president-elect’ and encourages him to work for reconciliation, unity
Cardinal O’Malley admits no longer enough for Church to apologise for abuse as Cardinal Cupich urges Catholics to “seize this moment” to eliminate “sin of clericalism”
Polish Bishops ask Vatican to “clarify” accusations against former Pope’s private secretary Cardinal Dziwisz as former nuncio in Paris goes on trial for alleged sex assault
Francis expresses “closeness” to survivors day after publication of bombshell Vatican dossier on abuser former cardinal and ex-Archbishop of Washington
In wake of report into predator former cardinal Archbishop of Washington, SNAP asks for “the specifics of who else knew” about crimes as it also appeals to president-elect Biden for help
Bishop of Metuchen – where predator former Archbishop of Washington served between 1981-86 – says he is “disgusted and appalled” by latest revelations
Holy See acknowledges case of abusive former Archbishop of Washington “remains an open wound” but says Church learning from “omissions, underestimations and wrong choices”
“We wait in hope for the Catholic Church… to follow the example” of president-elect Joe Biden in placing trust in a woman of colour, says Catholic Women’s Council
USCCB president José H. Gomez encourages Catholics to live out their “special duty to be peacemakers, to promote fraternity and mutual trust, and to pray for a renewed spirit of true patriotism”
“What we are seeing today even more so than four years ago is a population not only living in two diametrically opposed realities, but with two diametrically opposed views on reality”
AP says Catholic vote split almost equally overall. 57% of white Catholics voted for Trump, but 67% of Hispanic Catholics voted for Biden
Pushing back against president’s allegations of “fraud”, sisters say his “reckless attempts to disenfranchise millions… are shameful and will not be tolerated”
“A victory for Donald Trump would translate into a coup de grace for the liberal world order. If Joe Biden enters the Oval Office, there is a chance for the system to survive, but it would require both bold vision and reforms”
“Trumpism and white nationalism is driven by the lack of resolve, the lack of the soul and commitment to make justice a reality for all”, denounces Father Bryan Massingale