Pope Francis Appoints the Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne as Coadjutor Archbishop of Hartford.

The Vatican has announced that at the request of Archbishop Leonard P. Blair the Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed a Coadjutor Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Hartford. The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, until now the Bishop of Burlington, Vermont, has been appointed, and will succeed Archbishop Blair as Archbishop of Hartford when in 2024 the latter submits his resignation at the age of 75 in keeping with church law. Read more.

U.S. Bishops’ Doctrine Committee Issues Guidance to Catholic Health Care Institutions on Respecting the Fundamental Order of the Human Body – Addresses Gender Reassignment Medical Procedures.

As an example of immediate concern, the committee cites the interventions advocated by many in society as treatments for what is termed “gender dysphoria” or “gender incongruence.” These interventions involve the use of surgical or chemical techniques that aim to exchange the sex characteristics of a patient’s body for those of the opposite sex or for simulations thereof. As such interventions “do not respect the fundamental order of the human person as an intrinsic unity of body and soul, with a body that is sexually differentiated,” the committee states that Catholic health care services must not perform them.

Click here to read statement 

 The 2023 Legislative Session has adjourned.

Click here to review the results of the 2023 session and to join the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference’s Legislative Action Network. Receive newsletters and action alerts on current affairs.

VATICAN RELEASES STATEMENT  ON  “Doctrine of Discovery”

Vatican repudiates ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ used to justify colonialism after demands from Indigenous peoples

The Vatican Dicasteries for Culture and Education and for Promoting Integral Human Development released a Joint Statement on March 30, 2023 on the “Doctrine of Discovery.”  The Joint Statement is yet another step in expressing concern and pastoral solicitude for Native and Indigenous peoples who have experienced tremendous suffering because of the legacy of a colonizing mentality. We welcome the statement’s renewed repudiation and condemnation of the violence and injustices committed against Native and Indigenous peoples, as well as the Church’s ongoing support for their dignity and human rights.  As the Joint Statement points out, there were times when Christians, including ecclesiastical authorities, failed to fully oppose destructive and immoral actions of the competing colonial powers.  

Read News Article on Announcement

Click here to read the statement.

The Transgender Movement and its Harm to Youth 

As the acceptance of the self-identification by individuals of their gender identity grows in our society, one group that may suffer irreputable harm are young children. The medical drugs and procedures used in changing a young person, who has not completed the puberty stage of their lives, can cause permanent mental and physical be harm. No matter how you feel on the transgender issue, please read this eye opening article recently published in Commentary magazine. The article was authored by Paul McHugh, University Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University and Gerard V. Bradley, Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame.  Read Article

Catholic Teaching on Racism in Our Country

The issue of racism is prominent in the current discourse about our nation and the call for equality and respect. On November 14, 2018, long before the current social crisis, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops realized a pastoral letter on racism.

We encourage you to read Open Wide Our Hearts -the enduring call to love

The Divine Cancel Culture – By his death and resurrection, Christ has purchased our redemption and freed us from our sins

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori 4/1/2021

Please read this enlightening article where Archbishop Lori of Baltimore (prior Bishop of the Bridgeport Diocese) compares the current “Cancel Culture” movement to what he calls the “Divine Cancel Culture” movement of Jesus Christ. The differences in the values of each are startling .

Click here to read

Connecticut Catholic Bishops Release Pastoral Letter entitled “Respect Life Month” 2020 and the 25th Anniversary of “The Gospel of Life”

November 20th, 2020|

  Connecticut Catholic Bishops Release Pastoral Letter entitled “Respect Life Month” 2020 and the 25th Anniversary of “The Gospel of Life” October 18, 2020       The Bishops’ letter addresses the important role Catholic teaching places on the value of [...]

Receive Action Alerts and Newsletters from the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference.

Sign up for the Catholic Legislative Network