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 6, 2020
The Little Sisters of the Poor today notched a big win in their fight for religious freedom, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against a challenge by two states that argued an exemption from the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide employee health insurance coverage of contraceptives violated federal law. But the victory may be short-lived, since the court left open the possibility for opponents to challenge in lower courts the exemption as arbitrary and capricious. Any further litigation will most assuredly continue past the 2020 election, which could bring a new U.S. president and his perspective on the issue.
Jun 1, 2020
Several statements have been issued by bishops from across the country and Illinois on the death of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that have ensued. Floyd was an African-American resident of Minneapolis who died on Mon., May 25 while handcuffed and lying on a city street during an arrest made by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer. Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a market.
Jul 25, 2014
When unaccompanied minors come to the United States, Catholic Charities and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services Office step up to the plate to care for and place the children. This short, 5-minute video tells the story of two young men -- one from El Salvador, and the other from Sudan -- who are now living successfully in the United States.
May 16, 2014
This snappy video from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops outlines what you need to know about the 2014 Fortnight for Freedom, which features a theme of "Freedom to Serve."
