OMAHA (NE)
World-Herald

By Christopher Burbach
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Meeting with Omaha Archbishop George Lucas and other U.S. prelates Friday, Pope Benedict IXV posed questions about the American contraception insurance controversy and offered encouragement to American church leaders in the position they have taken on the matter, Lucas said from Rome.

Lucas and fellow bishops from Nebraska and Kansas met Friday with Benedict in an office of the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence in Vatican City. The prelates are in Rome for what’s called an ad limina visit to the Vatican, a periodic trip required of all Roman Catholic bishops from around the world. Groups of U.S. bishops have been traveling to Rome for several months. Iowa and Missouri bishops also are in the current contingent there. …

During Lucas’ visit, news broke in Cleveland, Ohio, that the Vatican had ordered the reopening of 13 Catholic parishes…