California Catholic Conference Archives

California lifts indoor worship rules; bishops say safety still a priority

Apr 16, 2021

California’s Catholic bishops “remain committed to the complete resumption of indoor worship in a responsible and safe manner,” said an April 13 statement issued by the Executive Committee of the California Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the bishops.

By Catholic News Service

‘Justice system is working,’ archbishop says about toppled statue case

Feb 23, 2021

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco said the “justice system is working” is a statement issued late Feb. 19 following the arraignment of five people on charges of felony vandalism for toppling a St. Junipero Serra statue outside a Catholic church Oct. 12, 2020.

By Catholic News Service

Bishops say local health officials should help decide on reopening schools
- Jul 28, 2020
California’s Catholic bishops said they understand the “real and ongoing” threat of the coronavirus and concerns over returning safely to schools, but they also are worried about schoolchildren’s overall health and development if they cannot return soon to classroom learning.

By Catholic News Service
California church singing ban strikes sour note for some; Catholic Church says it will comply
- Jul 11, 2020
Crossroads Community Church Senior Pastor Jim Clark wants to keep his 1,500 parishioners safe during the coronavirus pandemic but he’s drawing the line at a new California ban on singing or chanting at religious services.

By Don Thompson
Justice Dept. says California’s pandemic plan should open churches sooner
- May 21, 2020
The U.S. Department of Justice is challenging the “unequal treatment of faith communities” in California’s coronavirus reopening plan, warning that continued restrictions on worship services threaten believers’ civil rights to practice their religion.

By Pablo Kay, CNS
Newsom urged to provide more funds to immigrants, workers during pandemic
- Apr 24, 2020
California’s Catholic bishops have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to increase aid to immigrants without documents and low-wage residents of the state “because the virus doesn’t know the difference between someone who has the right legal documents and those who do not.”

By Catholic News Service