Latest news with #USConferenceofCatholicBishops
Herald Malaysia
7 days ago
- Health
- Herald Malaysia
Studies show need to raise Catholic mental health support for young women, mothers
Experts say rising isolation drives worsening mental health in young women and mothers Jun 26, 2025 The US Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual General Assembly. (Photo: Vatican News) By Zoey Maraist, OSV NewsLimited access to mental health care, rising substance use disorders and increasing income inequality are three likely reasons that young women and mothers are reporting declining mental health. But another reason for worsening mental health struggles that's widely cited by studies and mental health experts alike is the growing, societal-wide social isolation. "We expect everybody to be able to handle everything by themselves," said Daniel Roberson, a Catholic mental health counselor based in Arlington, Washington. "Women are more relational ... (so) isolation is always going to affect women more than it's going to affect men, and I think isolation could be the word of the decade." A March 13 Gallup poll found that from 2020 to 2024, just 15% of women aged 18-29 polled said they have excellent mental health, down 33 points from 2010-2014. A May 27 study from the JAMA Network found that self-reported mental health was found to have significantly declined for mothers of minor children. The Gallup poll notes that some of this reported decline in mental health is due to a growing awareness of mental issues. "The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been a turning point in Americans' perceptions of their mental and physical health, compounding declines already underway," the survey notes. "The shift in how people perceive their mental health could reflect several dynamics: heightened anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 crisis; heightened public and medical attention to mental health during this period; and a lessening of the stigma around admitting mental health challenges." In his clinical experience, Roberson believes there is both an increased personal awareness of mental health struggles as well as a decline in mental health. Among his clients who are mothers, especially stay-at-home mothers, he sees a tendency to give and give that leads to burnout. "There's a risk where the woman starts to think that it's her job to pour out everything until she has nothing left," said Roberson, who is also part of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. He helps clients to see that taking care of themselves ultimately allows them to take better care of their family and friends. At her practice, The Perinatal & Reproductive Wellness Group, Becky Morrison Gleed works with women and mothers struggling with mental health issues. She echoed the findings of the studies. "This is matching what I see," said Morrison Gleed, who is based in Falls Church, Virginia. "It's a bit stark (and) sad." She feels mothers are expected to do more with fewer resources, in addition to other problems including medical birth-related traumas or difficulties with partners, if they have partners. "This is a new generation where we have more dual-working parents and so gone are the days of the stay-at-home mom who has the village in her cul-de-sac," she said. "The expectations have not necessarily shifted to catch up with demands on mothers in terms of roles, mental load, working responsibilities and childcare." Morrison Gleed said she encourages people to check in on their mom friends and family members, especially postpartum moms. "The biggest risk factor that we know is if the person is not sleeping. If they've gone multiple days with no or minimal sleep, that should be considered an emergency," she said. She also advises against giving unsolicited advice. "Try to listen to what she's telling you," said Morrison Gleed. "Then she might share a little bit more and before you know it, you have a better idea of what she might need to feel supported and thrive as a mom." The JAMA Network study noted that the self-reported physical and mental health status was significantly lower among mothers who were US born, single parents, less educated, and those with publicly insured or uninsured children. Countless Catholic ministries reach out to the underserved through food banks, rental assistance and free medical clinics. But there's also special outreach to struggling pregnant women through parish-based ministries such as the Gabriel Project and Walking with Moms in Need. Kat Talalas, assistant director of pro-life communications for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, is working to expand Walking with Moms in Needs so that every parish is equipped to serve struggling families. So far, at least 60 US dioceses — approximately one in three — have a Walking with Moms in Need presence. Talalas sees the ministry as answering St. John Paul II's call to "radical solidarity" with mothers. "We are meant to welcome children into a community and have that community be a secure place to raise a family," she said. "It's really important to increase opportunities for women to know they're not alone, to have people who are willing to help them both practically and emotionally with all the changes that come with motherhood. Community and friendship can be a huge benefit to women's mental health." In one archdiocese, just advertising the program has made a big difference, said Talalas. "Women who are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, maybe they're a single mother — they might think that the church doesn't want to help them because they're a single mother," she said. "By advertising, it helps reconnect women to the church, where they find that God loves them and they have people around them who are going to support them in welcoming new life." Other parishes and dioceses support flourishing mental health through Catholic Charities' counseling services or through mental health ministries. Numerous parishes and dioceses are part of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, including the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, which recently launched a diocesan mental health team. They've held retreats for parish staffers, an outreach event in a community impacted by suicide, and some "Catholic Mental Health 101" sessions. "Many people suffer from this, sometimes silently," said Jay Wonacott, director of Marriage and Family Life at the Boise Diocese. "There's still a great stigma around mental health issues and I think the purpose of the church is to allay that mental health stigma and help people understand the psychological, the medical and the spiritual dynamics." Separately, the diocese also has a ministry for women suffering from miscarriage. "Especially when there's a loss, there can be depression and there can be anxiety," he said. On an institutional level, Roberson believes the Catholic Church can better serve women's mental health by helping them form and keep healthy marriages, and by making mothers feel welcome in church, even when their babies are crying. "A lot of the single mothers that I work with and a lot of women with children simply don't feel like they can go to church, simply don't feel like they can engage in society until the children are grown up," he said. "And by then they've formed a habit through their life of staying on the outskirts." On an individual level, Catholics must commit to accompaniment. Roberson thinks of a friend who is currently accompanying a woman going through a mental health crisis. "That's painful and messy for him and his family, and it takes a lot of his time," said Roberson. While it's tempting for his friend to go back to his job and family and leave the struggling woman by herself, he knows that's not right. "I think we can talk about all the financial or societal supports that we need — and they're good and true — but it begins at the heart," Roberson said. "Do I individually make space for the people around me to talk to me about the things that are hurting them, and do I allow that to actually hurt me?"--
1News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Pope Leo XIV has shared criticism online of Trump, Vance over policies
Elected today as the Catholic Church's first global leader to hail from the United States, Pope Leo XIV is in a new job that will have many crossovers into politics — a realm not entirely unknown to the Chicago-born priest, whose social media history includes sharing criticism of Trump administration policies and of comments by Vice President JD Vance. President Donald Trump has wished the new pope well in his role, calling Leo's election 'such an honor for our country'. But it comes days after Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope amid days of official mourning for Pope Francis. That act raised eyebrows at the Vatican and was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as indecent political interference in matters of faith. And last month, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the end of a half-century of partnerships with the federal US government to serve refugees and migrant children, saying the 'heartbreaking' decision followed the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding. The majority of Leo's posts on the X platform are related to or in support of Catholic news and church initiatives. He rarely writes original content, but a look back through his social media timeline shows numerous posts sharing viewpoints opposed to moves aimed at restricting acceptance of migrants and refugees in the US Vance, a convert to Catholicism, is the most high-profile Catholic in American politics. He's drawn attention from the man who now leads the global church, prompting Leo to return to X after a nearly two-year absence to share criticism of the vice president's views. In early February, Leo shared an article from a Catholic publication with the headline, 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others'. It came days after Vance — in discussing critiques of the Trump administration's immigration policies — in a Fox News interview had referenced a Christian tenet 'that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritise the rest of the world'. In response to online criticism of his position, Vance posted on X, 'Just google 'ordo amoris.' Aside from that, the idea that there isn't a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense'. 'Ordo amoris,' a historic Catholic tenet, translates to 'order of love'. Ten days after his initial post, Leo shared another piece from a Jesuit publication, titled, 'Pope Francis' letter, JD Vance's 'ordo amoris' and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration'. Prior to his first February post, Leo had been dormant on X since July 2023. After Leo's election today, Vance posted congratulations on X, adding, 'I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" The pope's final post as Cardinal Robert Prevost was a recirculation on April 14 of a post by church chronicler Rocco Palmo about Trump's Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Bukele said it was 'preposterous' for his country to bring a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there in March back to the US, despite a Supreme Court ruling calling on the administration to 'facilitate' Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return. Leo reposted Palmo's link to an article by Washington-area Bishop Evelio Menjivar — who was born in El Salvador — asking, 'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?' As Trump's campaign ramped up in July 2015, Leo posted to X a Washington Post op-ed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, with the headline, 'Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic'. In the wake of Trump's first election in 2016, Leo reposted a homily in which Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez — characterising the fear among many, including schoolchildren who 'think the government is going to come and deport their parents, any day now" — said that America is 'better than this'. Days later, Leo also posted an article by a Catholic outlet quoting Democrats as saying that, in her loss, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 'ignored pro-lifers at her own peril'. In September 2017, months into Trump's first term, Leo recirculated a post by author-activist Sister Helen Prejean saying she stands 'with the #Dreamers and all people who are working toward an immigration system that is fair, just, and moral'. He also reposted church chronicler Rocco Palmo's piece with the teaser, 'Saying Trump's 'bad hombres' line fuels 'racism and nativism,' Cali bishops send preemptive blast on DACA repeal'.
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pope Leo XIV has criticised Trump, Vance policies in social media posts
A look back through his social media timeline shows numerous posts sharing viewpoints opposed to moves aimed at restricting acceptance of migrants and refugees in the US AP Vatican City Elected as the Catholic Church's first global leader to hail from the United States, Pope Leo XIV is in a new job that will have many crossovers into politics a realm not entirely unknown to the Chicago-born priest, whose social media history includes sharing criticism of Trump administration policies and of comments by Vice President J D Vance. President Donald Trump has wished the new pope well in his role, calling Leo's election "such an honour for our country". But it comes days after Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope amid days of official mourning for Pope Francis. That act raised eyebrows at the Vatican and was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as indecent political interference in matters of faith. And last month, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the end of a half-century of partnerships with the federal US government to serve refugees and migrant children, saying the "heartbreaking" decision followed the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding. The majority of Leo's posts on the X platform are related to or in support of Catholic news and church initiatives. He rarely writes original content, but a look back through his social media timeline shows numerous posts sharing viewpoints opposed to moves aimed at restricting acceptance of migrants and refugees in the US. Leo has recently criticised US Vice President J D Vance Vance, a convert to Catholicism, is the most high-profile Catholic in American politics. He's drawn attention from the man who now leads the global church, prompting Leo to return to X after a nearly two-year absence to share criticism of the vice president's views. In early February, Leo shared an article from a Catholic publication with the headline, "J D Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." It came days after Vance in discussing critiques of the Trump administration's immigration policies in a Fox News interview had referenced a Christian tenet "that you love your family and then you love your neighbour, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritise the rest of the world". In response to online criticism of his position, Vance posted on X, "Just google ordo amoris.' Aside from that, the idea that there isn't a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense." "Ordo amoris," a historic Catholic tenet, translates to "order of love". Ten days after his initial post, Leo shared another piece from a Jesuit publication, titled, "Pope Francis' letter, J D Vance's ordo amoris' and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration". Prior to his first February post, Leo had been dormant on X since July 2023. After Leo's election Thursday, Vance posted congratulations on X, adding, "I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" His last post before becoming pope was critical of the Trump administration The pope's final post as Cardinal Robert Prevost was a recirculation on April 14 of a post by church chronicler Rocco Palmo about Trump's Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Bukele said it was "preposterous" for his country to bring a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there in March back to the US, despite a Supreme Court ruling calling on the administration to "facilitate" Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return. Leo reposted Palmo's link to an article by Washington-area Bishop Evelio Menjivar who was born in El Salvador asking, "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?" His sharing of critiques dates back nearly a decade As Trump's campaign ramped up in July 2015, Leo posted to X a Washington Post op-ed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, with the headline, "Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic". In the wake of Trump's first election in 2016, Leo reposted a homily in which Los Angeles Archbishop Jos Gomez characterizing the fear among many, including schoolchildren who "think the government is going to come and deport their parents, any day now" said that America is "better than this". Days later, Leo also posted an article by a Catholic outlet quoting Democrats as saying that, in her loss, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton "ignored pro-lifers at her own peril". In September 2017, months into Trump's first term, Leo recirculated a post by author-activist Sister Helen Prejean saying she stands "with the #Dreamers and all people who are working toward an immigration system that is fair, just, and moral". He also reposted church chronicler Rocco Palmo's piece with the teaser, "Saying Trump's bad hombres' line fuels racism and nativism, Cali bishops send preemptive blast on DACA repeal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
On social media, Pope Leo XIV has shared criticism of Trump and Vance over policies
Elected Thursday as the Catholic Church's first global leader to hail from the United States, Pope Leo XIV is in a new job that will have many crossovers into politics — a realm not entirely unknown to the Chicago-born priest, whose social media history includes sharing criticism of Trump administration policies and of comments by Vice President JD Vance. President Donald Trump has wished the new pope well in his role, calling Leo's election 'such an honor for our country.' But it comes days after Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope amid days of official mourning for Pope Francis. That act raised eyebrows at the Vatican and was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as indecent political interference in matters of faith. And last month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the end of a half-century of partnerships with the federal U.S. government to serve refugees and migrant children, saying the 'heartbreaking' decision followed the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding. The majority of Leo's posts on the X platform are related to or in support of Catholic news and church initiatives. He rarely writes original content, but a look back through his social media timeline shows numerous posts sharing viewpoints opposed to moves aimed at restricting acceptance of migrants and refugees in the U.S. Leo has recently criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance Vance, a convert to Catholicism, is the most high-profile Catholic in American politics. He's drawn attention from the man who now leads the global church, prompting Leo to return to X after a nearly two-year absence to share criticism of the vice president's views. In early February, Leo shared an article from a Catholic publication with the headline, 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.' It came days after Vance — in discussing critiques of the Trump administration's immigration policies — in a Fox News interview had referenced a Christian tenet 'that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.' In response to online criticism of his position, Vance posted on X, 'Just google 'ordo amoris.' Aside from that, the idea that there isn't a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense.' 'Ordo amoris,' a historic Catholic tenet, translates to 'order of love.' Ten days after his initial post, Leo shared another piece from a Jesuit publication, titled, 'Pope Francis' letter, JD Vance's 'ordo amoris' and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration.' Prior to his first February post, Leo had been dormant on X since July 2023. After Leo's election Thursday, Vance posted congratulations on X, adding, 'I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" His last post before becoming pope was critical of the Trump administration The pope's final post as Cardinal Robert Prevost was a recirculation on April 14 of a post by church chronicler Rocco Palmo about Trump's Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Bukele said it was 'preposterous' for his country to bring a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there in March back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court ruling calling on the administration to 'facilitate' Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return. Leo reposted Palmo's link to an article by Washington-area Bishop Evelio Menjivar — who was born in El Salvador — asking, 'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?' His sharing of critiques dates back nearly a decade As Trump's campaign ramped up in July 2015, Leo posted to X a Washington Post op-ed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, with the headline, 'Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.' In the wake of Trump's first election in 2016, Leo reposted a homily in which Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez — characterizing the fear among many, including schoolchildren who 'think the government is going to come and deport their parents, any day now" — said that America is 'better than this.' Days later, Leo also posted an article by a Catholic outlet quoting Democrats as saying that, in her loss, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 'ignored pro-lifers at her own peril.' In September 2017, months into Trump's first term, Leo recirculated a post by author-activist Sister Helen Prejean saying she stands 'with the #Dreamers and all people who are working toward an immigration system that is fair, just, and moral.' He also reposted church chronicler Rocco Palmo's piece with the teaser, 'Saying Trump's 'bad hombres' line fuels 'racism and nativism,' Cali bishops send preemptive blast on DACA repeal.' ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Cardinal Timothy Dolan? What are his chances to become first American Pope in papal election?
After the demise of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is all set to enter a new chapter. The 2025 papal conclave will commence soon. Among the 137 cardinals eligible to vote is New York's Archbishop Cardinal Timothy M Dolan, who is a renowned figure of American Catholicism. His presence in the conclave has raised the age-old question—Can an American ever become pope? Who is Cardinal Timothy Dolan? Cardinal Dolan has been a household name within the US Catholic circles for over a decade now. He was appointed as Archbishop of New York in 2009. Pope Benedict XVI, in 2012, elevated him to the rank of cardinal. According to a NorthJersey report, he soon became popular and was known for his charisma, affable public persona, and staunch conservatism. Dolan has also served as a president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and has been a vocal defender of Church teaching, as per the report. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo From opposing abortion rights, same-sex marriage to criticising Obama administration for their contraceptive mandate—Dolan has often been at the centre of American culture wars. However, despite his visibility and influence, the reports quoted Vatican experts suggesting that it is a longshot for Cardinal Dolan to be elected as the next Pope. Why is an American Pope Unlikely? Any male Roman Catholic, who has been baptised, is technically eligible to be elected as pope. However, every pope since 1378 has been selected from the College of Cardinals. Theoretically, Dolan is qualified to be the pope. However, no American has ever worn the white cassock and experts believe that it has been an intentional decision. Live Events Reportedly, the Catholic Church has been historically hesitant to elect a pope from the US. They fear that it could politicise the papacy and undermine the pope's independence. American cardinals are frequently regarded as 'culture warriors', according to media reports. The division of ideology within the Church in the US has resulted in an American Pope being unpalatable for many outside of the country. Also Read : Are banks open on Easter Monday? Is it a federal holiday in US? Details here Media reports quoted a Vatican journalist John Thavis as saying that a major obstacle against Dolan's papacy is that he is 'too American'. What comes next after Pope Francis' death? Following Pope Francis' death, the Church entered a period known as sede vacante (the Chair is vacant). The cardinals will soon journey to Rome, and although informal conversations are happening, the formal conclave will be held in total secrecy. Cardinal Dolan may not have a role as a candidate, but rather a kingmaker. With eight American cardinals (more than any other single country outside Italy) together in conclave, they could move the Church in virtually any direction, the reports added. FAQs Q1. Who is Cardinal Timothy Dolan ? A1. Cardinal Dolan is the Archbishop of New York, known for his charisma, conservative views, and leadership in the US Catholic Church. He was elevated to cardinal in 2012. Q2. Why is an American Pope unlikely? A2. Experts believe an American pope may politicise the papacy. US cardinals are often seen as 'culture warriors,' which makes them controversial outside the country.
