NCR Editorial Staff

We say: Despite some failures, President Joe Biden and his administration have an array of achievements to tout as they celebrate in their full first year in office. But Biden's task for 2022 is clear.

Editorial: We must remember what took place on Jan. 6, 2021 — a violent attempt to stop the certification of a free and fair election, what could only be called an insurrection or a coup — so that it never happens again.

Editorial: Archbishop José Gomez has squandered his presidency of the U.S. bishops' conference fighting dead-end culture wars. 2021 was bookended by his moves to attack Biden and a speech denigrating justice movements.

We say: Let us use Advent to recommit ourselves to eliminating systemic oppression in the U.S. and to push the church toward being better allies to communities constantly under the threat of violence.

We say: Protecting the environment for future generations and ensuring equitable solutions for those most vulnerable to climate change are matters of justice on which Catholics must speak and act in the follow-up to COP26.

We say: The fact that the bishops passed a bland document that mostly ignores the issue of politicians and Communion will likely be seen by many on the right as capitulation and a loss. Progressives could rack it up as a win. But this is not a win.

We say: Don't be fooled by the bishops' spin. Although many would like to backpedal this PR train wreck, the document has been the pet project of a crowd of right-wing bishops who want to deny Communion to Joe Biden.

We say: Bishops and Catholics with authority over physical plants in the U.S. must take every action they can to limit emissions and transition to clean energy now. Not in five or ten years. Now.

We say: Fear of the other can be an understandable human tendency, one amplified during times of insecurity and change. But our faith calls us to do better, and too many U.S. Catholics are not getting the message.

We say: The bishops' conference investing guidelines need an environmental update. Catholics can't continue to be apathetic bystanders, profiting at the expense of communities suffering from climate change.

We say: Despite concerns and controversies, we urge Catholics to participate in the synodal process. It may not be perfect, but the church is more likely to address the needs of the people of God with it than without it.

We say: Even as Americans have the luxury of the possibility of a booster to the coronavirus vaccine, billions around the world have yet to access a first jab. We must support increased funding for global vaccinations.

We say: The provisions within the $3.5 trillion human infrastructure bill are wildly popular. What is more, they represent a long-overdue investment in programs that will improve the lives of average Americans.

We say: What can Americans do now about Afghanistan? We can expand our acceptance of refugees from Afghanistan, and other war-torn countries, while we're at it. And then we can vow not to do this again.

We say: While women religious congregations are bravely forging ahead in addressing deep issues of racism, the official church hierarchy remains in denial.

We say: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott champions religious liberty — that is, until he wants to appear tough on immigration with an executive order that imperils migrant shelters, including those run by Catholic Charities.

We say: Everyone has a moral obligation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a legitimate medical condition prohibiting them from doing so. Requiring the vaccine should be part of the church's pro-life witness.

We say: As Senate Republicans deploy the filibuster in order to frustrate President Joe Biden's agenda on a host of issues, it is time to reacquaint ourselves with a few basic moral lessons we all learned as kids.

We say: Bishops may be the leaders of our church, but it's not their church. It belongs to God, if it belongs to anyone, and the entire people of God have a claim on it.

We say: As the Catholic Theological Society of America marks its 75th anniversary, we would like to thank all Catholic theologians who analyze, explore, research, write and share their thinking about God.