In a vote that was both expected and defying the Vatican, the U.S. Catholic bishops advanced on June 18 plans to draft a document addressing Communion for pro-choice Catholic politicians.
Distinctly Catholic: The proponents of drafting a document probably win the ballot. But they have lost something far greater. They have divided the conference in ways it has never been divided in my lifetime, perhaps ever.
Pope Francis' closest U.S. allies made an at times desperate appeal during the U.S. bishops' spring assembly not to charge ahead with plans for a divisive document regarding Communion and pro-choice Catholic politicians.
On the opening day of a virtual meeting of the U.S. Catholic bishops, a majority of U.S. prelates voted to limit discussion on whether to proceed with drafting a contentious document regarding Communion and pro-choice Catholic politicians.