Copy Desk Daily, May 3, 2019

To Americans who drop coins into the collection plate, write a check or perhaps text in their Sunday donation, the idea that the state would charge an annual tax to support their church can seem strange. Read about the Pew study that looks at the Western European cultural take on that.

Columnist Michael Sean Winters is clear on that open letter: Accusations of the pope's heresy show venom, assertions unhinged from reality, and possibly fear that Francis is right.

This is an insightful and inspiring look at the future of religious life in the United States. Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Tracy Kemme writes: As the pottery wheel of time whizzes on, God lovingly molds us with expert hands into what — and who — is needed for the present. Even as we grieve, we can rejoice in the goodness emerging. Instead of "diminishment," I choose a paradigm of "transformation."

NCR Vatican Correspondent Joshua J. McElwee is covering the plenary sessions of the International Union of Superiors General this coming week in Rome. Global Sisters Report Editor Gail DeGeorge and GSR's U.S. Liaison Presentation Sr. Joyce Meyer will be there, too. Here's the start (and a link you can save to see all the coverage as it unfolds through May 10).

Read NCR's Editorial: Weigel's discredited narrative about the causes of the scandal and his illusory ideas on dealing with it do a great disservice to the Catholic faithful in this moment when so much of the church is finally squaring up to the awful truth.

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