Heart of Jesus Area Faith Community

WASHINGTON—Five committee chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote a letter to members of Congress opposing the recent reintroduction of the Equality Act (H.R. 5), which is scheduled to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The bishops warned of the threats posed by the proposed legislation to both people of faith and of no faith, with respect to mandates impacting charities and their beneficiaries in need, health care and other conscience rights, taxpayer funding of abortion, freedom of speech, women’s sports and sex-specific facilities, and more. Their letter explained:

“[E]very person is made in the image of God and should be treated accordingly, with respect and compassion. This commitment is reflected in the Church’s charitable service to all people, without regard to race, religion, or any other characteristic. It means we need to honor every person’s right to gainful employment free of unjust discrimination or harassment, and to the basic goods that they need to live and thrive. It also means that people of differing beliefs should be respected.”

WASHINGTON – Two young professionals on staff at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have been chosen by the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communications to be part of a unique digital media project. As the Catholic Church seeks to embrace new and effective ways of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and mobile applications have been utilized as key tools in communicating the Gospel message. Recognizing the vital role of digital media, the dicastery announced “Faith Communication in the Digital World” and invited candidates to apply for a 12-month project with the opportunity to sharpen their digital media skills and develop skills useful for work in Catholic organizations, institutions, congregations and in their local dioceses to better serve the mission of the Church.

Alexandra Carroll, communications manager for social mission for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and John Lilly, communications specialist for the USCCB’s Office of Public Affairs were among sixteen individuals under age thirty-five from a dozen countries across the globe who were chosen to be part of this project. Through her work at the Conference, Alexandra engages Catholics in the work of the grassroots organizations supported by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. bishops. Previously, Alexandra served as the director of communications for Catholic Mobilizing Network where she inspired Catholics to end the use of the death penalty and promote a more restorative criminal justice system. Alexandra received a Masters of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) with a focus in Theological Ethics and Human Rights from Boston College, where she also served as a volunteer with the Catholic prison ministry at the Suffolk County House of Corrections. John has worked in digital communications for the Catholic Church for the last six years, including several positions at parishes and schools in the Diocese of Arlington. For the last year and a half, John has worked for the USCCB managing the Conference’s social media and digital presence. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a concentration in media production and criticism at George Mason University, where he was also involved in Catholic Campus Ministry as a student leader. He resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.

WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urges prayer and support for all those who have died and been injured in the recent winter storms, and encourages hope and generous support at the beginning of the Lenten season.

Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows: