NCR Editorial Staff

We say: In the 10th year of his papacy, Pope Francis certainly still knows how to surprise, whether it's in the latest announcement of 21 new cardinals, or in a recent meeting with Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr.

As we at NCR have long argued, making abortion illegal is not the only — or even necessarily the most effective — way to bring about a reduction in the number of abortions in this country.

We say: Now it is time to step up to the plate and defend democracy. We are called to find out who serves as election officials and to determine if they are trustworthy. We are called to challenge those who aren't.

We're sick of hearing the same song after a mass shooting. The song always adds a new verse — but always one where more of our children are butchered and no one in authority does anything. How long must this song go on?

We say: It's time for all Catholic institutions — parishes, dioceses, schools and universities, and, yes, publications — to invest resources in ministries that center Latino Catholics.

We say: Network, a Catholic social justice lobby of religious women, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. For five decades, it has tirelessly worked for the common good, and the United States is a better place for it.

We say: The announcement of the official end to Title 42, the Trump-era pandemic restrictions that effectively blocked migrants from entering the United States, is long overdue. But it is just a first, small step.

We say: The church must do more to proclaim its message of racial justice, in homilies and in statements from bishops. The church also must do more to prioritize racism among other social justice issues.

We say: Whatever is happening behind the scenes, it is time for Pope Francis to speak the truth about the murderous assault on Ukraine. It is time to call things as they are. This is Putin's war and it is evil.

We say: What fruit is born from suing for the records of a Catholic sister who gives lifesaving assistance at the U.S.-Mexico border? Or from smearing the work of a Catholic agency that helps refugees arriving at the border?

We say: Defending the dignity of every person is what it means to be a pro-life church, and our bishops must urgently condemn the bomb threats made against 13 historically Black colleges and universities.

We say: A German report accuses Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of mishandling at least four cases of sexual abuse by priests when he was archbishop in Munich. We believe more than an apology is in order.

We say: Despite some failures, President Joe Biden and his administration have an array of achievements to tout as they celebrate in their full first year in office. But Biden's task for 2022 is clear.

Editorial: We must remember what took place on Jan. 6, 2021 — a violent attempt to stop the certification of a free and fair election, what could only be called an insurrection or a coup — so that it never happens again.

Editorial: Archbishop José Gomez has squandered his presidency of the U.S. bishops' conference fighting dead-end culture wars. 2021 was bookended by his moves to attack Biden and a speech denigrating justice movements.

We say: Let us use Advent to recommit ourselves to eliminating systemic oppression in the U.S. and to push the church toward being better allies to communities constantly under the threat of violence.

We say: Protecting the environment for future generations and ensuring equitable solutions for those most vulnerable to climate change are matters of justice on which Catholics must speak and act in the follow-up to COP26.

We say: The fact that the bishops passed a bland document that mostly ignores the issue of politicians and Communion will likely be seen by many on the right as capitulation and a loss. Progressives could rack it up as a win. But this is not a win.

We say: Don't be fooled by the bishops' spin. Although many would like to backpedal this PR train wreck, the document has been the pet project of a crowd of right-wing bishops who want to deny Communion to Joe Biden.

We say: Bishops and Catholics with authority over physical plants in the U.S. must take every action they can to limit emissions and transition to clean energy now. Not in five or ten years. Now.