“The USCCB respectfully urges the EPA to ensure that the flexible approach envisioned by the proposed rule does not come at the expense of the most vulnerable or the integrity of the environment,” the attorneys wrote in their public comments, dated June 8 and posted on the bishops’ website on June 15. “Where the EPA’s proposed rule increases the probability of harm to the common good or to the environment, the EPA should at a minimum retain the relevant restrictions until it fashions new rules that will not unjustifiably increase risk.”

“Pope Leo is pleased to send his warm greetings to all those taking part in the walking pilgrimage from Macerata to the Holy House of Loreto, urging them to grow in their journey of following Jesus and to be missionaries of the Gospel, especially in the face of the material and spiritual poverty of our times,” Cardinal Parolin wrote.

The pilgrimage, which attracts thousands each year, is organized by the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation. This year’s pilgrimage, which began on June 13 and concluded the following day, included a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of Rome.

God’s name is “profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance, and by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions that bring death,” Pope Leo wrote in the June issue of Piazza San Pietro, the magazine of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Unfortunately, this temptation to profane God’s name affects even those who profess to be Christians.”

The words of faith should not be dragged “into political conflict,” or used “to bless nationalism and religiously justify violence and armed struggle,” the Pope added.

The primary theme of the conference, which began on June 15, is the formation of Eastern clergy and monks. In addition, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the apostolic nuncio to Lebanon, and Father Francesco Ielpo, O.F.M., the custos (Franciscan superior) of the Holy Land, are scheduled to speak about the current situation in the Middle East.

The law thus compels Catholic and pro-life organizations to retain employees who have abortions.

“Our employees represent the diocese and are expected to uphold our standards of conduct to ensure they align with the doctrine and moral teaching of the Catholic Church,” said Bishop Thomas Paprocki. “However, under the state law, we cannot hire or retain employees based on our deeply held religious beliefs on pro-life teachings without being subject to disciplinary action.”

Scholars from the Catholic University of America, Benedictine College, Belmont Abbey College, the Augustine Institute, the University of Dallas, Christendom College, and other educational institutions joined Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Bishop James Conley, Bishop Thomas Daly, Bishop Earl Fernandes, and Bishop Thomas Paprocki in signing the statement.

“The fruit of the Front Royal Education Summit, this statement emerged from two days of intense discussions at Christendom College among bishops, superintendents, scholars from numerous colleges and universities, educational leaders, and strategic partners,” wrote Bishop Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska. “We pray that these seven principles will provide a shared foundation to unify the various streams of educational renewal now underway in Catholic schools and to inspire a supernatural vision that guides the true integral formation of the whole child.”

The apostolic nuncio to Mozambique celebrated the funeral Mass of Bishop Osório Cîtora Afonso, I.M.C., on June 12, six days after he was murdered.

“The Church always supports the development of the country and appreciates projects that bring long-term benefits to society,” said Bishop Joseph Đỗ Quang Khang of Bắc Ninh. “However, development only has meaning when people remain at its center.”

“The concerns of the people are also the concerns of the Church,” Bishop Khang added. “People are losing not only homes and property but also memories, traditions, and faith communities built over many generations.”

The apostolic nuncio to Ukraine lamented a Russian attack on Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kyiv Monastery of the Caves), an eleventh-century Orthodox monastery recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

“Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord promises that he will never forget any of us. He assures us that he has engraved our faces on the palms of his hands and that his love is greater than a mother’s love for her child,” Pope Leo began. “The prophet gives us a glimpse of an intimate and intense dialogue in which God addresses, in familiar terms, each person individually and the people as a whole. Even today, we can read these words as referring to each of us, and everyone can hear that ‘I will never forget you’ spoken directly to them.”

The World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly takes place each year on the fourth Sunday in July, on or close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. In the United States, the bishops transferred the celebration to the Sunday after Labor Day, to coincide with National Grandparents Day.

On June 15—the day on which the Pope’s message was released—the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life also published pastoral guidelines for the day.