Bishops’ Statements on Current Issues
Illinois’ six diocesan bishops occasionally make statements on current issues important to the Church, either as a group or as individuals. When the statement is issued as a group, it reflects the view of the Church statewide. Individual bishops may choose to make a statement on issues of specific interest to their dioceses.
Illinois bishops release statement on National Migration Week
The bishops of Illinois today released a statement on National Migration Week, beginning Jan. 8.
Like the Magi following the star to the hope, love and freedom embodied in the Holy Child, many immigrant families are on a similar journey as they seek hope in a new country.
During the next six months, each diocese in Illinois will share stories of immigrant families in their parishes and communities. These stories will be published in diocesan newspapers, bulletin inserts and on our website.
Illinois bishops write Gov. Pat Quinn, asking for meeting
Illinois' diocesan and auxiliary bishops this week sent a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn, asking for a meeting to discuss the governor's stance on pro-life issues, civil unions and religious freedom.
Quinn made the letter public to the media after he received it.
Bishops of Belleville, Joliet, Springfield Dioceses drop lawsuit against state
The bishops of the Belleville, Joliet and Springfield dioceses today dropped their lawsuit against the state of Illinois on behalf of Catholic Charities.
The bishops sued on the grounds of religious freedom, stating Catholic Charities was allowed to refrain from placing children with civil union couples in accord with its belief to place children with married couples.
A judge in August ruled Catholic Charities did not have property rights to state contracts.
The bishops sought a stay of the ruling in the appeals court, but were denied.
Read the bishops' joint statement on Catholic Charities Lawsuit