WASHINGTON – “It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The bishops were responding to the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for addressing the heightened needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their newborn children while in CBP custody. 

The rescinded policy established minimum standards of care, including that mothers and their babies receive food, water, formula, safe places to sleep, and regular monitoring, as well as that they be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The rationale given for the rescission was that the guidance was “obsolete or misaligned with current Agency guidance and immigration enforcement priorities.” Related guidance pertaining to custodial considerations for medically at-risk individuals was also rescinded. No new guidance was promulgated in their place. 

The bishops’ full statement follows: 

“The U.S. bishops have spoken plainly and clearly about the proven harms that immigration detention is known to inflict on families and especially on young children, opposing its use for these populations unless absolutely necessary. It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved. As a result, instances of neglect and abuse, even if inadvertent, will be more likely to occur, putting the lives of pregnant mothers and their children at risk. This decision is all the more concerning as the Administration simultaneously ramps up family detention in place of safer, more cost-effective alternatives to detention. 

“Let us be clear: protecting pregnant mothers and their children can never be considered ‘obsolete.’ This principle irrefutably extends to noncitizens in immigration detention, each of whom possesses an inviolable, God-given dignity that must be respected. We urge the Administration to reissue guidance that adequately reflects and affirms the increased standard of care due to this vulnerable population while in government custody.”

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WASHINGTON - On the weekend of May 31-June 1, many Catholic dioceses in the United States will take the annual collection for the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign in their parishes. The collection helps the Church spread the Gospel message using modern media tools to inform, inspire, and enlighten.

“While the timeless message of the Gospel remains unchanged, the ways we share it must keep pace with a rapidly evolving media landscape. Your generosity to this collection makes that possible. When you give at Mass, half of your gift remains in your own diocese for local communications efforts while the other half supports nationwide efforts of the bishops of the United States,” said Bishop William D. Byrne of Springfield in Massachusetts, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Communications. 

Last year, more than $3.7 million supported national and international communications, while an equivalent amount underwrote local Catholic efforts ranging from podcasts to print magazines to websites. Examples of how dioceses used their share of the collection include:

• The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, which produced a print magazine and two podcasts focusing on the power of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit in the diocese.
• The Diocese of Tucson, which purchased equipment to produce high quality podcasts and YouTube videos in both English and Spanish that can better reach and include the diocese’s growing Spanish-speaking population.
• The Diocese of Raleigh, which built digital platforms that seamlessly integrate news of the diocese, its parishes and the worldwide church across diocesan and parish websites and social media.

The largest portion of the national share of the collection supports Catholic News Service Rome, which produces accurate, professional, and thorough coverage of the Pope, his global ministry and the Vatican offices that serve him

The national campaign also supports efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to share the work of the bishops, such as through its “5 Minutes with a Bishop” videos, which feature individual bishops speaking about their pastoral work and their daily lives as pastoral leaders.

“The Church is called to testify to the power and love of Jesus, and the Catholic Communication Campaign provides resources for bringing that timeless truth to people in new and traditional ways,” Bishop Byrne said.

Some dioceses take this collection on other dates. Those who wish to give but are unable to do so at Mass may give online at #iGiveCatholicTogether to support the bishops’ national communications programs.

For more information on the Catholic Communication Campaign visit https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-communication-campaign

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WASHINGTON – “Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Robert E. Barron, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth. In recognition of last week's committee markups of the U.S. House of Representatives’ budget reconciliation bill, and in anticipation of its being voted on in the House in the days ahead, the bishops also urged Congress to support authentic health care for vulnerable women and children.

“For decades, Planned Parenthood has received government money and offered low-income women one terrible option: to end the lives of their babies. More recently, they have used the same taxpayer funds to expand their destructive offerings, by promoting gender ideology and providing puberty blockers and hormones to minors, turning them into lifelong patients in the process. Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars, and we applaud measures that will finally help to defund Planned Parenthood. We encourage greater support for authentic, life-affirming health care providers that serve mothers and their children in need. We urge all members of Congress and the Administration to work in good faith to protect vulnerable women and children from mutilating ‘gender transition’ services and the scourge of abortion.”

Since January, several USCCB bishop chairmen wrote addressing multiple anticipated issues in the budget reconciliation process, calling for protection of the dignity of life and the poor and vulnerable. Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development also expressed the importance of preserving Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Tax Credit, and other programs for those in need, in the reconciliation legislation. Bishop Thomas and Bishop Barron also urged members of Congress to defund the abortion and “gender transition” industries. The bishops continue to encourage the public to contact their members of Congress on these issues.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The day after his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV had a closed-door meeting at the Vatican with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who gave him a Chicago Bears jersey and a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Vance delivered the letter from President Trump and his wife Melania before the start of the meeting, according to a video edited and released by Vatican Media. The short video clip showed Vance handing a large envelope to the pope, telling him it was a letter "from the president and first lady inviting you to come …". The rest of the sentence was cut.

The vice president also met May 19 with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, after meeting with the pope, a Vatican statement said. 

The Vatican press office released a communique outlining only what general themes were discussed during the "cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State" with Archbishop Gallagher. The two parties expressed their satisfaction with the "good bilateral relations" between them, and "the collaboration between church and state was discussed, as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom."

"Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved," the Vatican said.

The two U.S. leaders were then joined by their spouses and the larger U.S. delegation for photos and an exchange of gifts.

One of the gifts from the U.S. delegation was a navy blue and orange jersey from the Chicago Bears football team with "Pope Leo XIV" written on the back. The new pope, who was born in Chicago, responded with, "Good choice," when the vice president showed him the jersey, according to the Vatican Media clips. 

Vance's office said he also gave the pope the books, "The City of God" and "On Christian Doctrine," both written by St. Augustine, the founder of the religious order the pope joined when he was 21.

Among the gifts Pope Leo presented was a bronze bas-relief of a flower blossoming with an inscription, which the pope read out loud to Vance, "Peace is a fragile flower," according to the Vatican Media video.

As the pope presented a large book of colored photographs he was giving Vance, the pope was explaining one photo of the apostolic palace saying, "Pope Francis did not live (here) and I may live (there), which is right upstairs from here."

Vance also told the pope, "The United States people are extremely excited about you," to which the pope responded with an "oh," a smile and a nod.

According to the office of Vice President Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was present for a portion of the closed-door meeting with the pope after Vance's one-on-one.

The papal audience lasted 45 minutes, according to the vice president's office. 

Vance and Rubio were in Rome to represent the United States at Pope Leo's inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square May 18. They were accompanied by their spouses and senior White House aides at the Mass, which drew more than 200,000 people.

Later May 18 Vance and Rubio also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also was in Rome for the pope's inaugural Mass.

In a post on X, Vance said, "Our countries share the goal of ending unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed updates on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace."

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Reporting by CNS Rome is made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign. Give to the CCC special collection in your diocese May 31-June 1 or any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give

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