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.
Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. bishops meet, all eyes will be focused on whether they will agree to draft a document on the Eucharist — a proposal that originated after Biden's election. Get ready for lousy arguments.
Religion News Service asked more than 180 members of the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference their position on denying Communion to Catholic politicians who back the right to an abortion, a practice the church condemns. Few offered a firm yes-or-no answer.
Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. bishops are set to begin a Zoom meeting, they are in crisis: They are at each other's throats. They need to meet face-to-face, and they need to read Francis' letter to Cardinal Marx.
Bishop Shawn McKnight hopes the prelates discuss Pope Francis' creation of a new official ministry in the church for lay men and women who teach the fundamentals of the faith.
The bishops pushing for a document about the denial of Communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians are the same prelates who have previously opposed Pope Francis' approach to pastoral life.
When the bishops gather virtually for their June 2021 meeting, all the attention will be focused on whether pro-choice Catholic politicians will be banned from Communion.
After receiving an unprecedented letter from 67 bishops appealing for a delay, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' president explained in a memo the procedure followed in bringing the question to a vote.
