The Catholic Church in the United States is in danger of losing its relevance if its presentation of the Gospel is alien to the world in which people live.

Such debates don’t really happen elsewhere in the Catholic world.

In April 1962, Archbishop Joseph Rummel of New Orleans not only denied Communion to three Catholics in his archdiocese; he formally excommunicated the three, who vehemently opposed his efforts to desegregate Catholic schools.

When U.S. bishops meet virtually next week, most eyes will be focused on a controversial vote related to the Eucharist that some fear politicizes Communion by taking aim at the nation’s second Catholic president.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and others are acting for the good of souls. As a last resort, they propose denying Communion to people who persistently and publicly promote the grave evil of legal abortion.

Though an about-face by the Biden administration brought welcome news to advocates for refugee resettlement, the process raised concerns about the political calculus at work.