Brian Fraga

The Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. praised the synodal process at the opening of the U.S. bishops' spring assembly. And the bishops delayed for a day a vote to begin a process that could ban gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals.

A controversial Texas bishop will lead a procession this Friday in Los Angeles sponsored by a collection of right-wing Catholic media outlets and activist groups in protest of the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring the pro-LGBT group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during Pride Night at Dodger Stadium.

The U.S. Catholic bishops will vote on whether to amend their official directives for Catholic health care institutions to mandate that they cannot provide gender-affirming medical treatment.

On the U.S. bishops' agenda: National Eucharistic Revival and discussion of the ethical guidelines for Catholic health care institutions. Not on the agenda: pope's ongoing process for the 2021-24 Synod of Bishops.

Right-wing outlet Church Militant, known for its firebrand attitude towards the church and Pope Francis, is announcing layoffs. The downsizing follows years of growth, including the construction of a new TV studio and the opening of an office in Rome.

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, a vocal critic of Pope Francis who in recent years has invited the pope to "fire" him, said on Twitter May 12 that he believes the pontiff is "undermining the Deposit of Faith."

Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, is being investigated by the Vatican over his leadership style and possible mishandling of abuse cases. As the investigation has lingered for months, lay Catholics tell NCR the diocese is a "hot mess." Stika says he has helped the diocese grow and points to his fundraising success.

Responding to comments by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the Walter Reed military hospital said it can still offer Catholic services despite recently not renewing its contract with Franciscan friars who served there.

Some canon lawyers, sacramental theologians and priests say that the pope cannot amend canon law to require that priests report sexual abuse that they hear about in confession.

At least 13 U.S. archdioceses and 21 dioceses could have new leaders by February 2025. That gives Pope Francis the chance to reshape the U.S. hierarchy by appointing bishops who better reflect his priorities.

The predominant view throughout the conference was that the secular news media, in tandem with "Big Tech" and cultural elites, rejects objective truth and obfuscates language to intimidate those "who dare to express religious beliefs in the public square."

Bishop Thomas Paprocki says that he and Cardinal Robert McElroy have exchanged some emails after the publication of Paprocki's essay in which he appears to accuse the cardinal of heresy.

Under the "Chatham House Rule" obscuring speakers' identities, conversations among bishops and theologians about the local consultative process noted challenges and some resistance to the synod.

In an essay published Feb. 28, Bishop Thomas Paprocki appears to accuse Cardinal Robert McElroy of heresy, citing the cardinal's views on ministering to LGBTQ people and Catholics who have been divorced and remarried.

Pope Francis' 10 years on the chair of St. Peter have been marked by tenacious resistance from the conservative wing of the church, as formerly ardent papal defenders have lashed out against the current pontiff.

The turmoil within the literary society, which is now a Catholic lay apostolate dedicated to Chesterton's cause for canonization, is a microcosm of how the U.S. church is being buffeted by strong ideological headwinds.

Tens of thousands of activists will descend on Washington for the 50th annual March for Life Jan. 20, during a historical juncture for the pro-life movement, which is celebrating the landmark overturn of Roe v. Wade.

In a statement, Matt Schlapp's lawyer denied the accusations of "sustained and unwanted and unsolicited" sexual advances against a former staffer for Herschel Walker's failed U.S. Senate campaign.

When accused Bishop Howard Hubbard requested the Vatican remove his status as a priest, among those caught by surprise were his alleged abuse victims and their civil attorneys, along with canon lawyers.

The Respect for Marriage Act is advancing, with support from religious leaders who oppose same-sex marriages but are satisfied with the bill's religious liberty protections. But the Catholic bishops' conference disagrees.