After seemingly steering away from social justice issues in recent months, U.S. bishops are taking a stand on two major topics this week. The nation's Hispanic bishops issued a letter on immigration, showing solidarity with all immigrants and calling for comprehensive reform of the country's immigration policies.
And as Congress debates extending unemployment benefits and the payroll tax holiday, the bishops have written them a letter asking they take into consideration the moral implications of their decisions and how they will impact the unemployed and their families. The bishops are also giving a renewed push to their campaign to end poverty, complete with a new Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Catholic faithful are still debating the changes to the Mass and who exactly they are meant to benefit. At the Washington Post, Anthony Stevens-Arroyo asks who does the Mass belong to anyway – the church or the people?
On the international front, news that Pope Benedict may visit Mexico next year was met with a resounding yawn from a country filled with passionately faithful Catholics. Why would they be so apathetic, you ask? Because Mexico just can't get over John Paul II, and they don't have the same connection with Benedict XVI.
The pope also may have some trouble closer to home: Italy is looking into taxing church property to help slash its massive debt. Churches and worship sites would remain tax free, but other church buildings like schools, hospitals, and commercial properties would be expected to start paying up.
Finally, it seems like poor Rick Perry just can't win these days. YouTube viewers clearly did not appreciate his "Strong" ad aimed at people of faith. And now, even Jesus has chimed in to say he's not a fan either (OK, maybe not the real Jesus, but of the many "Strong" parodies out there, this one gave us a good laugh).
