Spiritual Adoption or Apostolic Betrayal: Dissecting the ‘Adopt a Bishop’ Initiative
Catholic News Agency reports on the “Adopt a Bishop” initiative launched by Lauren Winter of Brick House in the City and The Dorothea Project. The program randomly assigns participants a post-conciliar “bishop” to pray for throughout the year, citing Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s anecdote about offering candy to Robert Prevost (Leo XIV) during the conclave as inspiration. Winter claims this addresses the “enormous spiritual weight” carried by these prelates, framing prayer as “reciprocity” between laity and hierarchy. Over 1,000 participants have joined this ecumenical endeavor, which purports to strengthen “bonds within the Church” through “the quiet work of prayer.” The article concludes with Winter’s hope that participants feel “more connected to their bishop” through this exercise.