“The ideal bishop does not exist,” Sister Reungoat said. But he has to be a shepherd who is “close to the people entrusted to him, he has to know how to involve priests, laity and religious, and people of different generations.”

It is my hope that the bishops’ campaign inspires not just an intellectual conversion but a religious conversion, propelling American Catholics to fight for a more just economy and a more Christian society.

Continuing with determination to open up new positions of responsibility for women in the Roman Curia, Pope Francis has appointed three women as members of the Dicastery for Bishops.

The bishops’ conciliatory statements are being overshadowed by the specter of punitive cruelty toward women confronting crisis pregnancies. They must speak out again.

“This rush to execute would be reckless in any state, but Oklahoma in particular has a horrendous track record for problematic executions.”

The crisis should inspire the U.K. to reflect upon the values upheld by figures in public life, said Bishop Egan.