Lincoln, Neb., Feb 1, 2018 / 16:38 pm
Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Neb. is in talks with local members of the dissenting Catholic group Call to Action to lift a two-decade-old excommunication if they sincerely profess the Catholic faith.
"Bishop Conley is not trying to be soft on dissent with in the Church," clarified Father Nicholas Kipper, a spokesperson for the Lincoln diocese.
He noted that the bishop "has serious reservations against positions held by Call to Action nationally that would be in contradiction to the teachings of the Church." However, some members may disagree with the national group on these issues, and may be in adherence with Church teaching.
"What [some of the members] wanted to do was to be in union once again with the Catholic Church," Fr. Kipper told CNA. "Bishop Conley, of course, wants this as well. His goal as a bishop is to bring people to the Church, thus bringing them to union with Christ."