Copy Desk Daily, July 22, 2019

Our team of copy editors reads and posts most of what you see on the websites for National Catholic Reporter and Global Sisters Report (the NCR project focusing on women religious). The Copy Desk Daily highlights recommended news and opinion articles that have crossed our desks on their way to you.

West Virginia bishop formally disciplined by Pope Francis: In case you missed it, Pope Francis formally disciplined Bishop Michael Bransfield, the former bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. Sanctions against Bransfield restrict him from residing in the diocese or celebrating public Mass.

With upcoming retirements, Francis could 'reorient' US bishops' conference: "Pope Francis will have a rare opportunity to revamp the leadership of a large segment of the U.S. Catholic Church in the coming year," Joshua J. McElwee reports, "as a high number of bishops in dioceses across the country are reaching the traditional retirement age of 75."

Michael Sean Winters examines which of these bishop appointments are the most important. He provides background on U.S. bishop nominations and takes a look at the choices ahead for Francis: When picking new US bishops, Francis shouldn't hesitate to ruffle feathers.

"I believe in this life, and I believe it is critical to the furthering of the Gospel," Sr. Carol Zinn says. "But I can also see how, just in my lifetime, the face of it has changed dramatically. The expression of the life is taking on a whole new form." From Global Sisters Report: Diverse threads of Sr. Carol Zinn's career come together in LCWR executive role.

Celibacy advances the priesthood's culture of compromised truths: Fr. Peter Daly believes that "celibacy contributes to a culture of mendacity in the priesthood." Clergy who are compromised by their own hidden sexual activity may be less inclined to expose the abusive behavior of others within their ranks.

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