Federal Scholarship Tax Credit is a Transformative Opportunity for Children
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury released proposed regulations to implement the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), which provides a nonrefundable Federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations. States must formally elect to opt-in to the program in order for the children in that state to be eligible for scholarships funded […]
Marking September 11 Anniversary
Archbishop Coakley Offers Prayers and Encourages Continued Commitment to be Instruments of Peace WASHINGTON – “As conflicts intensify around the world, let us renew our commitment to be Christ’s instruments of peace in an increasingly fractured and divided world,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a statement […]
Pope Leo XIV Sends Letter to the American People Marking the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States
WASHINGTON – Marking the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, Pope Leo XIV has addressed a letter to the American people. The U.S. bishops are grateful to the Holy Father for his inspiring message, and for his prayers as we commemorate this milestone anniversary of our nation. […]
Call on the U.S. Senate to Protect Our Haitian Neighbors
Haiti is facing a multifaceted humanitarian catastrophe. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for the country, and the Federal Aviation Administration currently prohibits any commercial flights from the United States to the capital of Port-au-Prince. In January, Bishop Brendan Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Bishop […]
Archbishop Coakley’s Response to President Trump’s Social Media Post on Pope Leo XIV
WASHINGTON – Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a brief response to a social media post by President Trump on Sunday evening. “I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope […]
Bishop Thomas Supports Bill to End FDA Approval of Chemical Abortion Pills
WASHINGTON – “The abortion pill represents an isolating and harmful response to women in need,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. On Wednesday, Bishop Thomas wrote a letter to Congress in support of the “Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act,” which was recently introduced by […]
Bishop-Chairmen Respond to Expanded “Mexico City Policy”
WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. Department of State officially published three rules, significantly expanding the “Mexico City Policy,” which historically limited certain federal funds from going to foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortion abroad. The State Department is referring to these three rules collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance […]
Bishop Chairmen Call on Administration to Extend Protections for Haitians in the United States
WASHINGTON – “There is simply no realistic opportunity for the safe and orderly return of people to Haiti at this time,” said Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, together with Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace. The […]
“9 Days for Life” To Unite Hundreds of Thousands in Prayer for the Protection of Life
WASHINGTON – Catholics nationwide are invited to pray “9 Days for Life,” an annual Respect Life novena starting Friday, January 16. In the Catholic Church, a ‘novena’ consists of prayers over nine successive days, and this particular novena is an opportunity for prayer and penance in observance of the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal […]
U.S. Bishops Issue a “Special Message” on Immigration from Plenary Assembly in Baltimore
BALTIMORE – As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking […]