DENVER — It is no secret that the pontificate of Pope Francis has been a challenge for Church leaders to navigate, and the bishops of the United States are no exception. A man often called the Pope of surprises, who has encouraged Catholics to “make a mess,” the pontiff’s spontaneity, new approaches and willingness to rebuff traditional consultative mechanisms has, more than once, seemed to catch American bishops off-guard.
But for the most part, America’s Church leaders have been careful to emphasize their unity with Pope Francis. The bishops have mostly expressed strong public support for Francis, even while offering widely differing takes on the meaning of his teachings, especially regarding the interpretation of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-did-cardinal-omalley-open-a-door-to-papal-criticism-from-us-bishops-53316
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-did-cardinal-omalley-open-a-door-to-papal-criticism-from-us-bishops-53316