Bishop John Cummins had a significant and lasting impact on the Catholic Church in his own diocese and elsewhere through his quiet leadership and ministry. He was a reminder to many of what Pope Francis meant when he called for bishops who are “pastors, not princes.”

In 1984, then-associate editor Thomas J. Reese, S.J., explained in depth how bishops are selected—from the initial vetting process to final confirmation by the pope and the bishop himself.

Flying bishops, eminent birthdays and getting lost in translation: Funny stuff that Father James Martin heard inside the synod hall.

Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera of Jinotega was forced to leave Nicaragua after accusing a local Sandinista mayor of sacrilege for disturbing a celebration of the Mass by blaring loud music outside the cathedral, according to Nicaraguan media.

Methods of further incorporating “Laudato Si’,” Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on care of creation, into the life of the church at the local and national level was a point of discussion for the U.S. bishops in Baltimore during their fall general assembly Nov. 13.

At the annual U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, leaders announced their support and promise to defend immigrants and the poor––vowing to speak out in the event of mass deportations.