The pope reflected on the Jesuits' four Universal Apostolic Preferences to address today's challenges: the Spiritual Exercises, walking with the poor, a hope-filled future, and the care of creation.

The 178 cardinals attending the two-day consistory spoke of growing polarization within their respective societies.

The panel urged repeal of the Johnson Amendment, creation of religious liberty violation hotlines, Know Your Rights posters, and presidential religious freedom awards.

The Supreme Court's decision on June 25 paves the way for possibly deporting more than 300,000 Haitians and more than 6,000 Syrians.

Acknowledging reservations among some cardinals, the pope urged confidence in the format in his opening address, and asked that they offer him their “strong, explicit and public” support.

The government has been releasing reports on abuse allegations in each of the state's seven dioceses.

The pontiff met with the synod members to conclude a conference at the Vatican June 23-25.

The federal government has imposed stricter rules under India's foreign-donations law just days before Catholic bishops convene a nationwide day of prayer over a related bill.

War, economic instability, and emigration are driving a decline in Christian communities across the Holy Land, said Bishop Iyad Akram Twal, auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

WASHINGTON - This week, the Trump Administration ultimately prevailed in a court challenge to its decision to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, issued the following statement in response: 

“Revoking the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people residing in our country creates a moral crisis when returning to their country of origin is not a safe or reasonable option. If we are truly to affirm the God-given dignity of every human person, we as a nation cannot turn a blind eye to such an injustice and the impossible choices it will create for families and communities. 

“Even if the Administration determines TPS is no longer warranted, deferred enforced departure remains a tool available to the President, and we urge him to exercise right judgement in this way. Forcibly sending families to dire conditions is a legacy all leaders should seek to avoid. To that end, my brother bishops and I also continue to call upon Congress to act—to meet this moment with the moral fortitude that is so desperately needed.”

The USCCB’s Committee on Migration has encouraged recent bipartisan efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to extend Haiti’s TPS designation. In January, Bishop Cahill was also joined by his fellow chairman in calling on the Administration to extend TPS for Haitians.

###