The Catholic church would benefit if bishops felt more like local leaders and less like regional managers in a Rome-based nonprofit. One way to move in that direction would be to have the clergy elect their bishops.

There is no question that the process for the appointment of bishops should be updated. But the election of bishops with procedures similar to democratic elections would only exacerbate all kinds of rifts in the Catholic Church today.

Politicians, educators and social justice leaders are remembering Charles Currie, S.J., whose passion for seeking justice in Central America made him a trusted adviser in Washington, D.C.

Recent weeks have brought a number of stories that reveal how Pope Francis aims to lead the church on this issue.

The priority given to Supreme Court nominations has left the movement vulnerable to being reduced to the role of supporting player within an overall conservative political agenda.