NCBC News - The National Catholic Bioethics Center

Bioethical Insights in Magnifica Humanitas

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Marie Hilliard Appointed to OPTN Ethics Committee

Marie Hilliard, JCD, PhD, RN—Senior Fellow — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

BROOMALL, Pa., June 22, 2026—Dr. Marie T. Hilliard, RN, Senior Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), has been appointed to the Ethics Committee of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), a regulatory agency responsible to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Dr. Hilliard will serve as an At Large member, joining eighteen other professionals including other At Large and regional representatives of the United States. As an At Large member, Dr. Hilliard will represent the general membership or the public on issues of interest or concern. The Ethics Committee guides the OPTN Board of Directors concerning OPTN policies and practices related to organ donation, procurement, distribution, allocation, and transplantation so they are consistent with ethical principles.

Dr. Hilliard is well qualified to be a contributing member in providing such guidance. She continues, since 2006, to serve as an ethicist with the NCBC, responsible for its efforts to shape public policy impacting the life sciences, most significantly health care regulation, including policies impacting organ procurement and donation. She has been administratively involved in governmental health care regulation at both the state and national levels. As a Registered Nurse she remains active professionally and has served as president of professional nursing organizations. She currently is a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Medical Association and co-chairs its Ethics Committee. As Colonel Hilliard (USA, Ret.) she has served our country for over twenty years, responsible for medic and nursing training for hundreds of soldiers. She holds the Meritorious Service Medal.

“The field of organ transplantation demands careful ethical attention, especially as we continue to read reports of allegations of failure to implement existing safeguards,” said Dr. John Di Camillo, President of the NCBC. “I am grateful that the OPTN has selected such a highly qualified ethicist with clinical experience to serve on the OPTN Ethics Committee. Dr. Hilliard has long upheld the dignity of the human person through her impressive public policy work with the NCBC, and we are very proud of her professional accomplishments. Her contributions to the work of the Ethics Committee will be invaluable.”

Dr. Hilliard stated: “I am so pleased that OPTN has recognized the importance of including an ethicist, such as myself, who not only is an academically and experientially prepared professional, but also is credentialed in religious studies and canon law. The welcoming I have received from my new colleagues suggests to me an appreciation of the role that a faith-based perspective can provide in approaching some of the most critical questions impacting humanity.”

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The National Catholic Bioethics Center provides education, guidance, and resources to the Church and society to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research, thereby sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. The NCBC envisions a world in which the integral understanding of the human person underlying Catholic teaching on respect for human life and dignity is better understood and more widely embraced in America and worldwide. More information can be found at www.ncbcenter.org.

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Contact Name Marie Hilliard, MS, MA, JCL, PhD, RN, DM

Phone 215–877-2660

Email MHilliard@ncbcenter.org

Website www.ncbcenter.org

The NCBC Publishes the Seventh Edition of the ERDs

Edward Furton — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

BROOMALL, Pa., June 9, 2026—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) is pleased to announce its printed publication of the seventh edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs), published with the permission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This updated edition introduces several new topics, including sex reassignment, medical referrals, the freezing of human embryos and gametes, voluntary stopping of eating and drinking, and palliative care.

“The ERDs are an invaluable source of moral guidance for Catholic health care professionals and an indispensable reference point for Catholic health care delivery,” said Dr. John Di Camillo, President of the NCBC. “We are ready to assist with the implementation of the seventh edition of the ERDs in dioceses and healthcare systems around the country.” Dr. Edward Furton, Director of Publications, added, “Given their central place in the delivery of health care at Catholic institutions in the United States and their distillation of the Catholic moral tradition in this field, it is a privilege to be able to publish these directives. The NCBC has made significant contributions to their development over several editions, and our work involves directly applying them to real situations through our personal consultations. The ERDs are a touchstone more broadly for our publications, educational programs, media outreach, and public policy efforts.”

The NCBC has previously received permission from the Vatican to publish the official English edition of the New Charter for Health Care Workers, by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. The NCBC looks forward to future collaborations with the USCCB and the Vatican to bring critical texts in Catholic health care to those in the fields of health care and biomedical research.

To purchase the seventh edition of the ERDs, click here.

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Contact Name Edward J. Furton, MA, PhD

Phone 215–871–2008

Email efurton@ncbcenter.org

Website www.ncbcenter.org

For a PDF of the document, click here.

The NCBC partners with Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s School of Theological Studies on new Master of Arts Degree in Catholic Health Care Ministry

Joe Zalot, PhD—Staff Ethicist — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:59:51 +0000

BROOMALL, Pa., June 3, 2026—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) is pleased to announce its partnership with the School of Theological Studies (STS) at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Philadelphia) in the STS’s new Master of Arts degree in Catholic Health Care Ministry. This unique collaboration unites the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation of the STS with the NCBC’s extensive on-the-ground experience with health care ethics education and consultation for bishops, diocesan ministries, health care institutions, health care professionals, clergy, chaplains, and patients and families.

A full press release prepared by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Communications can be found here.

For more information on the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Health Care Ministry program, please click here.

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Contact Name Joe Zalot, PhD

Phone 215-871-2014

Email jzalot@ncbcenter.org

Website www.ncbcenter.org

For a PDF of the document, click here.

The NCBC Welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical

John Di Camillo — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:38:11 +0000

BROOMALL, Pa., May 27, 2026—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) gratefully welcomes Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. It was signed by Pope Leo XIV on May 15, 2026, and released on May 25, 2026, marking the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical Rerum Novarum.

The 245 paragraphs of Magnifica Humanitas offer a rich discussion of the promises and perils of artificial intelligence (AI) through various interconnected lenses, including two key touchstones for the NCBC’s work in the field of bioethics: human dignity and the common good. It concludes with a call to hope through Our Lady’s Magnificat, “that she may guide our steps through this time of change and preserve in each of us true faith in the Gospel, so that we may bear witness to the grandeur of humanity, in which God has made his dwelling.”

The NCBC looks forward to advancing the Holy Father’s teachings through education, guidance, and resources, in accord with its mission. The NCBC invites all Catholics, fellow Christians, and people of good will to read and reflect more deeply on the challenges and opportunities of AI, in particular in its interface with conscience, moral responsibility, personal encounter and relationships, truthful communication and information; again, founded on the dignity of the human person and the common good.

“Navigating the artificial intelligence revolution requires working together as persons in relationship and in community,” said Dr. John A. Di Camillo, President of the NCBC. “One of the threats of AI is the replacement of personal encounter. The NCBC has long worked with bishops, health care ministry leaders, educators, clergy, the Catholic faithful, and people of good will to help form their consciences for real decisions—shaping them in virtue and equipping them to be witnesses to Christ. We intend to continue this personal accompaniment, while collaborating with experts in the fields of theology, philosophy, science, technology, and medicine, to build a path forward on the foundations of the common good and the grandeur of humanity—rooted in God’s plan for creation and salvation.”

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The National Catholic Bioethics Center provides education, guidance, and resources to the Church and society to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research, thereby sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. The NCBC envisions a world in which the integral understanding of the human person underlying Catholic teaching on respect for human life and dignity is better understood and more widely embraced in America and worldwide. More information can be found at www.ncbcenter.org.

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Contact Name John A. Di Camillo, PhD, BeL

Phone 215-871-2001

Email jdicamillo@ncbcenter.org

Website www.ncbcenter.org

For a PDF of the document, click here.

The Extremes of Laxism and Rigorism

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:43:33 +0000

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Dominican Sisters Challenge New York State's Transgender Mandates

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:51:45 +0000

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Job Opening: Staff Accountant

Phil Tran — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:18:27 +0000

To download the job description as a PDF, please click here.

Staff Accountant

Status: Part-time (20 hrs/wk), salaried, exempt

Salary: $40,000 - $50,000 (based on qualifications and experience)

Reports to: Exec. Director of Operations & Finance

Location: On-site (Broomall, PA)

Benefits (current, subject to change): Paid holidays, sick time, employer contributions to retirement account.

About Us

The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide education, guidance, and resources to the Church and society to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research, thereby sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. The NCBC is funded primarily by grants and donations and serves a wide array of constituents, including Catholic dioceses, health care systems, universities, businesses, health care professionals, educators, clergy and religious, and the laity. Program revenues are generated by a robust range of health care ethics resources and services, including memberships, educational programs, publications, speaking engagements, and consultancy agreements.

The Opportunity

The NCBC is seeking a detail-oriented and purpose-driven Staff Accountant who would love the opportunity to join an office culture rooted in the Catholic Christian faith, bringing financial precision, efficiency, and best practices to a growing organization with a powerful mission. As a small yet multi-faceted, national nonprofit organization with outsized accounting complexity, the NCBC seeks a seasoned accountant with experience in the nonprofit sector and a desire for engaging and meaningful work.

As a Staff Accountant with the NCBC, your work will help thousands upon thousands of people to live out their Catholic faith with conviction in secular health care environments and to make confident health care decisions guided by faith and reason for themselves and their loved ones. Your work will also help the NCBC to educate and advise bishops, directors of diocesan ministries, health care professionals, clergy, religious, educators, and other leaders and formators, all of whom impact hundreds of thousands more.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the general ledger.
Assume primary responsibility for bookkeeping, especially the proper use of the chart of accounts, classes, functional allocations, prepaids, deferred revenue, pledges of grants and donations, and monthly recurring journal entries.
Assist with payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, including invoicing.
Contribute to the implementation of audit-quality accounting best practices, with the support of external accountants, including properly documented internal controls, processes, policies, procedures, forms, and other tools to ensure compliance with GAAP requirements and management reporting requirements.
Assist with the automated integrations of QuickBooks Online (QBO) with other programs, including Stripe payment processor.
Compile all financial statements.
Assist with completion of monthly audit-quality reconciliations of the general ledger, balance sheet, financial accounts, and payment systems with clear and complete backup, including reconciliation of QBO with the customer relationship management (CRM) system, researching and resolving any outstanding items.
Assist with monitoring activity on all financial accounts, including credit card transactions, ensuring that only authorized transactions occur, approving or rejecting positive pay exceptions and unauthorized ACH transactions, reporting weekly and monthly activity to management.
Record and reconcile monthly credit card activity, ensuring adherence to company credit card policy, verifying that audit-quality documentation is submitted.
Assist with the year-end and mid-year budget processes and financial analyses, preparing financial reports and other documents as required by management.
Perform cash flow analysis, cost projections, and other financial analyses as needed.
Support requests for information related to annual external audit, regulatory compliance, or other internal and external financial information requests.
Complete additional finance-related projects and duties as needed.
Handle sensitive financial information with discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
5+ years of experience in nonprofit accounting.
Experience preparing for audits.
Excellent organizational skills and good customer service skills, strong accounting knowledge, and keen attention to detail, especially regarding general ledger account balancing and reconciliations.
Clarity and precision in written and verbal communication.
Proven experience using independent judgment and initiative.
Effective time management skills, including prioritizing work, meeting deadlines, and working efficiently.
Willingness to take action to solve problems and to present proposals to enhance current processes.
Proficiency in Quick Books Online and Microsoft Office 365 suite, including SharePoint and OneDrive.
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools, including spreadsheets and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Master's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or related field.
10+ years of experience in nonprofit accounting.
Experience working with CRMs, especially HubSpot CRM.
Experience preparing Form 990 filings.
Endowment accounting experience.
Experience in accounting for Catholic nonprofit organizations such as Catholic schools, dioceses, parishes, or other ministries of the Catholic Church.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Dr. Kevin Kelly, Executive Director of Operations and Finance (kkelly@ncbcenter.org), with “Staff Accountant – [Your Last Name]” in the subject line.

Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early. The position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

Forgiveness and Transformation

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:10:17 +0000

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The General Rise in Suicides and Legalized Assisted Suicide

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:34:49 +0000

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The Personhood of the Preborn

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:00:00 +0000

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Celebrating the New Revision of the ERDs

Joseph Meaney, PhD—NCBC President — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:05:31 +0000

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The NCBC Welcomes the New ERDs

John Brehany — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:42:19 +0000

BROOMALL, Pa., November 20, 2025—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) welcomes the seventh edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs), approved and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on November 12, 2025. The NCBC is grateful to the U.S. bishops and to their staff and consultants who worked diligently over the course of almost two and one-half years to update the ERDs. The NCBC supports the bishops of the United States through consultation and educational services on a wide range of issues in health care ethics and was pleased to contribute to this critically important project.

A significant focus of the ERD revision process—and much media attention—was devoted to the creation of two new Directives (nos. 28-29) proscribing sex reassignment interventions and encouraging appropriate care of patients with gender dysphoria. Clarification on these topics is most welcome. The seventh edition of the ERDs also addresses several new issues for the first time, including medical referrals, the freezing of human embryos and gametes, voluntary stopping of eating and drinking, and palliative care. Indeed, the seventh edition has resulted in the most extensive revisions to several parts of the ERDs since 1994, including Parts One, Three, Four, and Five.

“I am deeply grateful to the bishops of the United States for this historic update to the Ethical and Religious Directives, which are a major touchstone for the mission and work of the NCBC,” said Dr. John A. Di Camillo, President of the NCBC. “The NCBC faithfully serves many constituents, including bishops, Catholic health care leaders, individual clinicians, and patients and their families, bringing the light and love of Christ to challenging health care questions. We are ready to assist with the implementation of this seventh edition of the ERDs in dioceses and health care systems around the country. Now more than ever, our world needs this clearsighted moral guidance rooted in the dignity of each human person, body and soul, and directed toward the common good of families, communities, and our nation. Deo gratias!”

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Contact Name John F. Brehany, PhD

Phone 215-871-2015

Email jbrehany@ncbcenter.org

Website www.ncbcenter.org

For a PDF of the document, click here.