Nov 10, 2020
The Vatican today released a report on its investigation into the career of the former high-ranking and now-disgraced U.S. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick. Published by the Vatican's Secretariat of State office, the report draws on documents from five Vatican departments, four U.S. dioceses, two U.S. seminaries and the Vatican's U.S. embassy. Investigators also interviewed more than 90 people.
Oct 4, 2020
Pope Francis today called for a renewed spirit of global community with the release of his new encyclical, 'Fratelli tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship." The eight-chapter encyclical examines contemporary social and economic problems against a backdrop of the current coronavirus pandemic, which "unexpectedly erupted" during its composition. Yet Pope Francis notes the global health crisis only underscores that “no one can face life in isolation” and that the time has truly come to “dream, then, as a single human family” in which we are “brothers and sisters all."
Jul 17, 2020
Pope Francis today announced that he has named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as the sixth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Ill. Pope Francis had previously accepted the resignation of Bishop Emeritus R. Daniel Conlon and had named Bishop Richard E. Pates as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until a new bishop could be appointed. Bishop Hicks, 52, will be installed at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet, Ill. on September 29, 2020.
Apr 3, 2020
Pope Francis today announced that he has named Father Michael G. McGovern, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. Pope Francis also announced that he had accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward K. Braxton, who was installed as the Bishop of Belleville in 2005. Bishop-elect McGovern, 55, is expected to begin his ministry in the Diocese of Belleville later this year.
Mar 16, 2020
CCI Executive Director Bob Gilligan shares a recorded message from Cardinal Cupich about the COVID-19 pandemic; talks with Bishop Richard Pates, who's serving as the apostolic administrator of the Joliet diocese while Bishop Conlon is on medical leave; discusses the need for privilege in restorative justice practices with Judge Tom Donnelly; and briefly outlines tomorrow's primary election.