Following are NCR reader responses to recent news articles, opinion columns and theological essays with letters that have been edited for length and clarity.
Opus Dei reforms
Regarding your recent article “Pope Leo XIV faces major test over Opus Dei reforms”:
Opus Dei has undergone a study of its juridical status following a canon law reform for the whole Church (related to the organization of the curia in Predicate Evangelium of 2022). This study attempts to tackle an ambiguity which has existed for the last forty years, about what personal prelatures are and how they operate (NCR, June 10, 2025).
Following Pope Francis’ request, Opus Dei’s Prelate asked all members to send suggestions for updating the statutes. These were considered in an extraordinary congress in 2023. After that, the matter was studied in an atmosphere of unity and trust by a team of experts from the Dicastery of the Clergy and from Opus Dei.
After a brief pause during the period of sede vacante, revised statutes were submitted on June 11 for approval by Pope Leo. Once the Holy See approves them, we will offer information on the changes on our website.
Throughout this period, we have joyfully lived what our founder St. Josemaría taught us: to love the Pope, whoever he is, and to embrace his decisions with filial obedience, confident that the ministry of Peter is always a source of grace and guidance, and that from it, nothing can come to us but good for the Church and for our souls.
BRIAN FINNERTY
U.S. Communications Director, Opus Dei
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Trump's budget
I appreciate Fr. Thomas Reese's honest portrayal of the truth in the U.S in his column "Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' is a huge ugly disaster" (NCR, June 12, 2025).
I am not Catholic but have started to follow your news and the pope's communications.
This is a horrible time in America and the only thing I can feel good about is the Catholic Church electing another good leader. You are the guiding light of Christianity in a time of distorted religion.
I tell my friends that I read your publication because I am aware of what is going on but it is with truth and a spirit of good for life on earth.
JUDY HONEY
Chester County, Pennsylvania
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Leo's path
Like most of the faithful, and many non-Catholics, we see in our American-born pope a reflection of where we are as American Catholics (NCR, June 6, 2025). Whether conservative or progressive we want to hear our pope affirm our vision of where we think the church should go.
Pope Leo appears to recognize the importance of dialog and inclusion. Dialog wherein we all listen to one another underscores the idea that we are all included as fellow believers. Unfortunately, there are some who would limit the scope of inclusion to only those whom they see as aligned socially and demographically with themselves. However, the word catholic means universal so in order to keep faith with the very definition of our church we need to open our doors to all who wish to enter.
These past few decades have proven that even an institution as resistant to change as our church can, when necessary, undergo a paradigm shift. I have a great deal of hope that Leo will also engender a paradigm shift to open the church to vertical and horizontal dialog so we all learn about our fellow congregants as well as learn from our leaders and they from us.
That inclusion and sharing can only portend a greater influence by our church in our otherwise very secular society. That will lead to the church's continued growth and influence and might become a guiding beacon for a similar shift in our culture to see one another according to our commonality and not our differences.
CHARLES A LE GUERN
Granger, Indiana
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