New U.S. Catholic Leader Clashes With Pope’s Progressive Vision

U.S. Catholic Bishops Elect Conservative Leader Amid Vatican Tensions

U.S. Catholic bishops have elected Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City as their new president, marking a shift towards conservatism during President Trump's second term. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions with the Vatican and Pope Francis' inclusive approach.

Archbishop Coakley, known for his hard-line stances on social issues, won the election over a centrist candidate, Bishop Daniel Flores. Half of the 10 candidates for president hailed from the conservative wing of the conference. Coakley's victory signals a doubling down on conservative values, which may heighten tensions with Pope Leo XIV, who recently called for reflection on migrant treatment and has been perceived as an ideological competitor to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Coakley serves as an advisor to the Napa Institute, an association for conservative Catholic powerbrokers. His election follows a letter sent by bishops to Pope Leo, pledging to defend immigrants' rights to worship and due process. Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who serves on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, expressed concern about detained migrants receiving pastoral care and the sacraments. Meanwhile, Archbishop Coakley's public support of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who was later excommunicated for divisive stances, further underscores his conservative leanings.

With Archbishop Coakley at the helm, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is poised to take a more conservative stance during Trump's second term. This shift may lead to further tensions with the Vatican and Pope Leo's modernizing agenda, as the bishops seek to defend their values and influence in the United States.