Last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops elected a new president, Archbishop Paul Coakley, who is aligned with right-wing organizations. They chose Coakley over Bishop Daniel Flores, a powerful voice for immigration justice.
The USCCB made it loud and clear: their priorities lie with a growing culture of conservatism and Christian nationalism.
Doubling down on their move to the right, they voted to update the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) to add a comprehensive anti-trans ban on gender-affirming care, further restrict abortion care, and narrow the types of end-of-life care permitted in Catholic hospitals.
Read more about this election and the bishops’ 2025 Fall Plenary Assembly in “Bishops Ban Gender-Affirming Care in Catholic Healthcare” from The Overreach Monitor.
SOURCE: Catholics for Choice Newsletter, 24 November 2025; PHOTO: Sue Ogrocki/AP.