Convocation of Catholic Leaders Archives - Page 2 of 5

Naumann: ‘Pope Francis’s job isn’t to make a bishop’s life easier’
- Jul 11, 2017
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City-Kansas candidly admits that sometimes Pope Francis makes him a little bit nervous, but also says it’s not necessarily the pope’s job to make his life easier. He also says that underlying the rise of the ‘nones’ and defections from the Church is failure to foster a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

By John L. Allen Jr. and Ines San Martin
Callahan: Want to slow immigration? Invest in helping people stay home
- Jul 11, 2017
Sean Callahan, CEO of Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas humanitarian and development assistance arm of the U.S. bishops, has a potentially surprising card to play in defense of federal spending on helping other countries: Do it, he said, and you’ll find that keeping undocumented immigrants out of the U.S. becomes a whole lot easier … don’t do it, and it won’t really matter what walls you try to put up.

By John L. Allen Jr. and Ines San Martin
Gregory: Pope ‘gets it’ on sex abuse, but gets it as an Argentinian
- Jul 10, 2017
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, who served as president of the U.S. bishops during the white-hot period of the American abuse scandals in 2002-2003, says Pope Francis “gets it,” but cannot have the same understanding of the repercussions as someone from a culture where it’s been as intense as here. Gregory also called for deescalating rhetoric on immigration, and for defusing the bomb before it goes off with regard to racial tensions in America.

By John L. Allen Jr. and Ines San Martin

Garvey: Francis fosters new look at Church authority and higher education

Jul 10, 2017

John Garvey, President of the Catholic University of America, wants to take a new look at the famed “Land O’Lakes Statement” from 50 years ago, which amounted to a declaration of independence for Catholic universities from ecclesiastical control. He says that’s easier to do under Pope Francis, because his teaching is so interesting and relevant that universities more readily understand why it should be part of their conversations.

By John L. Allen Jr. and Ines San Martin

Daughter of famed American writer joined Jesus on the peripheries

Jul 9, 2017

Every believer has his or her own story, and the story of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s daughter Rose is especially compelling, especially under a pope who’s calling us to join Jesus on the peripheries. Rose went to the forgotten and suffering, and she let her sorrow build a bridge of compassion and selfless service to others. By this way of life, Rose’s faith was able to give her comfort and consolation.

By Father Jeffrey F. Kirby