USCCB Fall Assembly 2021

Michael Sean Winters: The U.S. bishops do not know how to embrace, still less to influence or evangelize, the culture of today.

Two U.S. cardinals, six bishops and prominent leaders of various faiths clasped hands with a group of about 20 men and women Nov. 18 in Baltimore, praying for an end to the evil of sexual abuse of children.

We say: The fact that the bishops passed a bland document that mostly ignores the issue of politicians and Communion will likely be seen by many on the right as capitulation and a loss. Progressives could rack it up as a win. But this is not a win.

The U.S. bishops approved a motion Nov. 17 during their general assembly to host the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024 in Indianapolis; it will be the culmination of a planned three-year eucharistic revival.

Bishops approved new guidelines governing financial investments of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that include wider limits on where money would be invested and advance a policy of engagement on corporate practices that impact human dignity.

After more than a year of intense debate on a document originally intended to target pro-choice Catholic politicians like President Biden, the U.S. bishops approved a milquetoast text summarizing teaching on Communion.

NCR Connections: If the synod on synodality is to have any value, it must provide a safe space where all Catholics can speak of their experiences, without others demanding that they "get out of my sight."

Michael Sean Winters: The second day of the U.S. bishops' meeting, which finally included public sessions, continued the somewhat surprising quietude reported the day before, after months of anticipating fireworks.

In a Nov. 16 news conference, the organization Ending Clergy Abuse called on the U.S. prelates meeting in Baltimore to focus less on who can take Communion and instead do more to end abuses by clergy.

Synodal unity is not "based on the avoidance of sensitive or painful problems," Baltimore Archbishop William Lori said in his homily for the opening Mass of the U.S. bishops' fall meeting.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., told the bishops gathered in Baltimore that the church needs "attentive listening more than ever if she is to overcome the polarization facing this country."

Reporting from Baltimore on the first day of the U.S. bishops' conference fall assembly, Michael Sean Winters says that a consensus seemed to be emerging that the current version of the document on the Eucharist was a compromise and probably the best they could agree to.

The U.S. bishops' gathering in Baltimore is set to host at least two unusually visible demonstrations that showcase the broad spectrum of U.S. Catholic thought. On Day One, liberal-leaning Catholic groups protested outside the hotel where the bishops met in a closed, executive session.

Among those watching the meeting of the U.S. bishops in Baltimore this week are Catholic members of Congress, many of whom have noted the months of heated debate over a controversial document on Communion that may address pro-choice Catholic politicians.

The USCCB’s annual fall assembly includes elections for treasurer and several committee chairs for the organization. Some of the bishop candidates are known for prioritizing similar issues as Francis. Others have not been always known for emphasizing issues favored by the pope.

Michael Sean Winters: This week the meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gets underway. If the bishops vote to approve the proposed document on the Eucharist, it will not be because the text is good, but because the document is so mediocre.

Several leading Catholic theologians, academics and activists have signed onto a petition calling on Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez to apologize for his Nov. 4 speech in which he denigrated social justice movements as "pseudo-religions."

Watch: Four experts discuss the U.S. bishops' controversial document on "eucharistic coherence," which was originally planned to cover denying Communion to pro-choice politicians such as President Joe Biden.

Commentary: The impending debate at the U.S. bishops' conference could have significant implications for many high-profile Catholics. However, the institutionalization of the Eucharist affects the spiritual health of millions of Catholics every single day.

We say: Don't be fooled by the bishops' spin. Although many would like to backpedal this PR train wreck, the document has been the pet project of a crowd of right-wing bishops who want to deny Communion to Joe Biden.

Hundreds will attend the U.S. bishops' fall general assembly in Baltimore, as COVID-19 continues to spread. Attendees will be required to wear masks, but a spokesperson declined to answer whether a vaccine mandate would be imposed.

A federal appeals court has upheld a judge's ruling that Baltimore city officials cannot ban a conservative Roman Catholic media outlet from holding a rally at a city-owned pavilion during a U.S. bishops’ meeting.

Commentary: The U.S. bishops' proposed new document on the Eucharist may not mention pro-choice Catholic politicians like President Joe Biden. But, even still, the document reads as if it could have been created before the Second Vatican Council.

Michael Sean Winters: When the US bishops gather in Baltimore this month, they will choose whether to pursue the culture war approach some bishops prefer, or to pursue communion with the bishop of Rome. They can't do both.