Copy Desk Daily, Aug. 20, 2020

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

In openly criticizing Brazil's president, 152 bishops spur anger, controversy. The "Letter to the People of God," from a group of progressive bishops, has generated strong reactions both from wider society and within the church — including criticism from fellow bishops and a petition of support signed by some 1,500 priests. The controversy reflects the sharp polarization of Brazilian society that has only intensified since the 2018 election of President Jair Bolsonaro.

Every year brings a new face to LCWR's shared "triumvirate" presidency: the president-elect, who will subsequently serve as president and then as past-president. Global Sisters Report has a Q & A with Sr. Jane Herb, new president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an organization that represents some 80% of U.S. women religious. Meanwhile, ending her time in the presidency is Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, who writes for GSR about treasures carried forward: What I learned in leadership.

GSR Editor Gail DeGeorge reflects on the annual LCWR gathering that was held virtually last week. Amid the turmoil of the present, it seems clear that LCWR's previous assemblies have been remarkably prescient — and the sisters continue their prophetic witness.

Sr. Joan Chittister looks at the state of U.S. government and mourns the mortal end of truth: when leadership becomes nothing but lies. "Since honesty as a prerequisite of character has apparently ceased to be an issue for the electorate at large, have we, as a moral nation, already collapsed?" she asks. "Have we ourselves come to the point where we have only lies to live by?"

Catholic high school basketball coach fired after protesting pastor's anti-LGBTQ message. Ashlie Langlinais had started a petition for the removal of a pastor in a neighboring diocese, after he criticized the New Orleans Saints for using rainbow lighting to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

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