59% of the nation’s bishops responded to the survey, which examines diocesan morale, finances, and technology. The survey found that 17% of bishops have laid off staff, while 50% have decided not to do so.

The USCCB called on the faithful to ask Congress “to include additional relief for Catholic schools in the next emergency relief package. Public schools are asking for $300 billion dollars, and it is important to make sure that hard-hit Catholic school families also receive emergency relief.”

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon (Myanmar) is president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. Internal conflict in Myanmar began in 1948.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who heads the US military archdiocese, had criticized the policy, which forbade members from attending off-base military services.

“I want to tell you that I am close to you, that I am praying for you and that I am accompanying you right now,” Pope Francis said in his video message.

Sudan (map) is a northeastern African nation of 44.4 million that is distinct from largely Christian and animist South Sudan. Islam is Sudan’s official religion; the nation is 92% Muslim and 5% Christian, with nearly 3% adhering to ethnic religions.

Ladji Ouattara criticized the “deep nationalist and colonialist convictions of this Saharan hermit” (French article). Pope St. John Paul II paid tribute to him as a “model of adoration and dialogue.”

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong’s apology comes after a report on sexual abuse in Fiji’s Catholic schools. At the same time, he said that “since he took up the position in 2013, the Catholic Church in Fiji has not received any reports of such allegations.

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities described a new federal rule for international students as “not only bad health policy, it is heartless.”

Referring to a “particularly harrowing and testing time for me personally,” Bishop Michael Dooley of Dunedin had stepped back from his ministry on May 3. “This experience has reminded me that when I am in difficulty then I need to reach out for help from others and most of all for help from God.”

A Texas state appellate court ruled that “the management of internal affairs, conformity of members to the moral standards required of them, and, in the context of an educational faith-based institution, the expulsion or retention of students are considered ecclesiastical matters,” and not matters for the courts.

“I am deeply disappointed by [the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s] final rule that strips away even the basic requirement that loans be made only when people can afford them, setting up workers and families to fail,” said Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. “Payday lending is modern day usury.” Catholic Charities USA issued a similar statement.

“We are living in what St. John Paul II called a ‘new age of martyrdom,’ where many worldwide face persecution for their faith,” said Auxiliary Bishop Mario Dorsonville of Washington, chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Migration. “I pray our nation will reverse course and once again stand with refugees and asylum seekers, including those escaping religious persecution.”

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, also wrote a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for Sea Sunday, which commemorates the work of the Apostleship of the Sea.

On July 12, Pope Francis devoted his Sunday Angelus address to Matthew 13:1-23, the Gospel of the day (video).

“In a complete synodal form, the voice of women should especially be heard more, given that the apostolic succession is reserved to men,” said Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort of Rheims, president of the French Bishops’ Conference.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, is Undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s action to remove crucial consumer protections from its rule on payday and car title lending,” Catholic Charities USA said after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revoked lending restrictions. “Scripture condemns usury and teaches us to respect the God-given dignity of each person and to love our neighbors rather than exploiting their financial vulnerability.”

Kaduna State (map) is located in north-central Nigeria.

Steven Shields, 23, was charged with attempted second-degree murder, arson, and burglary after he drove his van through the doors of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. A police report described him as a schizophrenic who cited Scripture.