USCCB President: Discusses role of the bishops’ conference; changes of the church under Pope Francis and expectations of an upcoming synod on the family.
Faith and Justice: The U.S. bishops feel besieged by their opponents in the culture wars, an attitude that could carry over into their statement on political responsibility.
It's "getting difficult" for Catholics to partner with the government in providing social services because of laws like a federal mandate requiring contraceptive services.
Catholics must "hold each other accountable for any actions or decisions," one speaker at the USCCB meeting said, but there was no discussion on who would look for that accountability.