All archbishops appointed in the past year participate in a Pallium Mass, during which they receive a Pallium - a sign of an archbishop's "communion with the Pope and a sign of their pastoral responsibility as shepherds (CNS)". Archbishop García-Siller was one of four archbishops who received a Pallium from Pope Benedict this week: So what is the Pallium? One man with over 25 years of experience wearing one, Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired archbishop of Los Angeles, explains on his blog: It is a circular band about 2" wide, worn about the neck and having two pendants--one hanging down in front and one behind. It is worn over the chasuble at Mass. Every February two lambs are blessed each year and their white wool is used to make the Pallium. The wool is presented to the Pope, and Sisters then make the Pallium for the new Archbishops. ... The new Palliums are solemnly blessed on the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and are kept in a special silver-gilt container in front of the Main Altar in St. Peter's Basilica.  Read Full Story >>

• View pictures from the Pallium ceremony via the Archdiocese of San Antonio web page here, and also from Catholic News Services' facebook album here.

Region's Bishops Express Concern Over Immigrants Deaths, Call Governments to Action
Catholic bishops of the North and Central American region and the Caribbean, who are in charge of the pastoral care of migrants, gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica, June 1-3, 2011. A joint declaration after the meeting was made public June 30. The prelates, representing the bishops’ conferences of the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panamá, Honduras and Guatemala, as well as CELAM (Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America) and CARITAS International gathered to express solidarity and concern over the plight of immigrants in the Hemisphere. They were joined by religious and lay experts on issues of migration.

“We continue to witness great suffering among migrants in our countries and regions, who are the victims of exploitation and abuse from various elements of society (public officials, unscrupulous employers and criminal organizations),” the bishops of the region said in their statement. “We again call upon our governments to take responsibility for the legal protection of migrants, including those searching for work, asylum-seekers, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. We ask for special protection for families, women and children.” Read Full Story >>

Life Issues Forum: Light and Shadows in the Cause of Life
Susan Wills, Assistant Director for Education & Outreach for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities discusses the decline in abortion rates in the US as reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the need to continue to promote a Culture of Life at the end of life: There was great news this week on the abortion front. The journal Obstetrics & Gynecology reports that abortion rates in the United States continue their steady decline—an 8 percent drop between 2000 and 2008, to under 20 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44. The rate in 1981 stood at almost 30 abortions per 1,000 women, so the abortion rate has declined by one-third in the past three decades. Even more encouraging, teens continue to lead the way. Abortion rates among teens aged 15 to 17 dropped an impressive 22 percent between 2000 and 2008, and a remarkable 62 percent since 1984. Much of the decline can reasonably be attributed to teens choosing to remain chaste throughout their high school years. Chastity remains the key, because one in three sexually-active girls (including those contracepting) will become pregnant within 24 months of initiating sexual activity. Read Full Story >>

Bishops Welcome Standards to Reduce Hazardous Emissions, Cite Protection of Human Life and God’s Creation

TCC advocates should be familiar with our advocacy supporting consumption advisories regarding mercury levels in fish. Care for creation is intrinsically tied to our call to protect the most vulnerable and promote the common good: The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed standards for mercury and air toxics produced by power plants, according to a June 20 comment filed with the Environmental Protection Agency, by Bishop Stephen Blaire, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. “Such standards should protect the health and welfare of all people, especially the most vulnerable members of our society, including unborn and other young children, from harmful exposure to toxic air pollution emitted from power plants,” said Bishop Blaire. Read Full Story >>