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- U.S. Bishops Raise Concerns Over Health Care, The Protection Of Life, Immigrants And Affordability In Letter To Senate
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September 30, 2009
WASHINGTON—Three U.S. bishops raised their concerns over human life and dignity, immigrants and affordability in a September 30 letter to the U.S. Senate. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Bishop William Murphy and Bishop John Wester chair the Committees on Pro-Life Activities, Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Migration, respectively, for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
"Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity," the bishops wrote. "These moral principles and our everyday experience lead us to work for three central priorities for health care reform." - USCCB Pro-Life Committee Chairman Releases Statement For Respect Life Sunday
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September 30, 2009
WASHINGTON—In a statement to mark Respect Life Sunday, October 4, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia called attention to those who are most vulnerable in recent debates on health care reform – the unborn, the poor, the elderly and the immigrant – and called upon Catholics to “examine how well we, as a nation and individually, are living up to our obligation to protect the rights of those who, due to age, dependency, poverty or other circumstances, are at risk of their very lives."
Cardinal Rigali chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Cardinal Rigali noted that the lives of the unborn are those most at risk in America and “despite the opposition of 67% of Americans to taxpayer-funded abortion, all current health care proposals being considered by Congress would allow or mandate abortion funding, either through premiums paid into government programs or out of federal revenues." - USCCB Public Service Announcements Among Award Recipients In Annual Thoth Awards
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September 28, 2009
WASHINGTON—Public service announcements developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in collaboration with Crosby Marketing Communications were among the winners at the annual Thoth Awards of the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of American (PRSA).
- Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists Mark Tenth Anniversary Of Historic Agreement
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September 23, 2009
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will join other church leaders in downtown Chicago, October 1, to commemorate the signing of a joint agreement on the Doctrine of Justification, a matter that for centuries divided Christians.
- New Survey: Most Americans Want Health Care Reform, Oppose Abortion Coverage, Support Conscience Protection Laws
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September 22, 2009
WASHINGTON—A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has found widespread public opposition to including abortion in health care reform and majority support for conscience rights protection – views shared by those who favor efforts to pass health care reform.
- Bishop William Winter To Join Religious Leaders To Press For Action During G-20 Summit
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September 22, 2009
PITTSBURGH—On the eve of the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Bishop William J. Winter, retired auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh, will join more than 25 Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders for a Religious Leaders Summit to press for actions that will help hungry and poor people lift themselves out of poverty. This will include a press conference on Wednesday, September 23, at 9 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Pittsburgh.
- USCCB, CRS Global Poverty Initiative Reaches Quarter Million Catholics
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September 21, 2009
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) announced that they have reached over 250,000 Catholics through their Catholics Confront Global Poverty initiative, a renewed nationwide effort to address the root causes of global poverty through education and advocacy. In less than seven months, they have reached one quarter of their goal to mobilize one million Catholics.
- Wichita Pastor To Lead U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat For Clergy, Consecrated Life, Vocations
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September 21, 2009
WASHINGTON—Father W. Shawn McKnight, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita, Kansas, has been named head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
Father McKnight, who is 41, will assume his USCCB position in July, succeeding Father David Toups, interim secretariat director. - Christian Unity A Goal, But Won't Happen Overnight, Says USCCB Official In Ecumenism, Interreligious Affairs>
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September 18, 2009
WASHINGTON—About 2.1 billion people claim the name Christian. These followers of Christ are divided among numerous religious groups including Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Orthodox, and even those who do not associate themselves with any one Christian group.
Father Leo Walsh, Associate Director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Ecumenical and interreligious Affairs, notes that all Christians are called to be one but it won’t happen tomorrow. - Hispanic Bishops Meet with Latino Legislators, Others in Congress on Policy Issues Most Affecting Hispanics
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September 17, 2009
- USCCB Officials Welcome President Obama’s Statements On Abortion, Care For The Poor In Response To Health Care Address
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September 10, 2009
- Bishop Murphy Reflects On Economic Challenges And Dignity Of Work In U.S. Bishops’ Labor Day Statement
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September 2, 2009
WASHINGTON—At a series of meetings at Capitol Hill, a delegation of Hispanic Bishops discussed with Democrat and Republican legislators of both houses, four areas of deep concern and offered principles of Catholic social teaching to help in the current debates.
Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio, Texas, led the September 17 delegation, representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“The bishops are keenly aware of the substantial contributions Hispanic communities make to the prosperity and well-being of the United States,” said Archbishop Gomez. “Yet those same communities suffer under the weight of a broken immigration policy, as well as lack of access to quality education, adequate medical care and economic opportunities.”
WASHINGTON—Calling it an important contribution to a crucial national debate, officials speaking on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed President Obama's September 9 address on health care reform, particularly his statements regarding abortion and the uninsured.
"We agree that 'no one should go broke because they get sick,'" said Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development at the USCCB. "That's why the U.S. Bishops have worked for decades for decent health care for all. The Catholic Church provides health care for millions, purchases health care, picks up the pieces of a failing health system, and has a long tradition of teaching on ethics in health care. Health care reform that respects the life and dignity of all is a moral imperative and urgent national priority. We welcome the President's speech as an important contribution to this essential national debate and task."
WASHINGTON—“This Labor Day, we should take a moment to pray for all workers and all those without work” said Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., in “The Value of Work; the Dignity of the Human Person,” the annual Labor Day statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He added, “We should also ask God’s help in living out the Church’s call to defend human life and dignity, to protect workers and their rights and to stand with the poor and vulnerable in difficult economic times.”