USCCB Fall 2017

The U.S. bishops discussed immigration, racism and other social justice issues in Baltimore, but more needs to be done to effect change, say some bishops and observers. 

Distinctly Catholic: Other dynamics within the bishops' conference emerged in the two-day public sessions. Immigration and racism got attention — but not a sense of urgency.

USCCB Fall 2017: A year and a half after the release of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation​ Amoris Laetitia, the U.S. bishops have voted to create a document and pastoral plan on marriage and family life, scheduled to be ready in November 2019.

The longest and most passionate discussion on the first day of the fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 13 focused on how to help immigrants.

Persecuted Christian minorities in Asia, Africa and the Middle East are at risk of being forgotten, according to the chairman of the U.S bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.

Distinctly Catholic: The Pro-Life Activities Committee has always been led by a cardinal, signaling the priority assigned to that committee. ​But the bishops elected Archbishop Naumann over Cardinal Cupich.

USCCB Fall 2017: Bishops from dioceses affected by hurricanes in the past few months provided updates to the assembled conference in Baltimore Nov. 14; their message was one of ongoing struggle and need, as well as solidarity and human kindness.

Though the Catholic Church has responded to racism for many years, some leaders and church institutions have at times been part of the problem, said Bishop George Murray.

Young people in the church want to be heard and be invited to be a part of church leadership, according to a report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in preparation for next year's Synod of Bishops on youth.

Distinctly Catholic: Immigration is one of the issues that unites the bishops, and during the first day of the bishops' plenary session, speakers endorsed a strong defense of immigrants. 

As the U.S. bishops were beginning their fall assembly in Baltimore, also marking their 100th anniversary as a conference, a couple of nonviolent protesters gathered nearby.

Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, Texas, told his fellow bishops Nov. 13 that more than 100 U.S. dioceses have participated in the "Share the Journey" campaign.

The head of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ anti-racism task force told his colleagues that racism “lives in a particular and pernicious way” in the United States.

Acknowledging wide divisions in the country over many issues, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for civility to return to the public debate.

Distinctly Catholic: As the bishops of the United States celebrate the 100th anniversary of their episcopal conference, they received not one but two messages from Rome.

There are three things bishops must always keep in mind as they exercise their episcopal ministry, according to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vatican's nuncio to the United States.

The mission of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is as timely now as 100 years ago when the conference was founded, says Vatican secretary of state.

Distinctly Catholic: The issue is not simply that there has been a decline in the intellectual heft of the episcopal bench, it is that the bishops no longer seek a common ground based on real theological principles.

Distinctly Catholic: Two weeks from today, the U.S. bishops will begin assembling for their annual plenary meeting. Let's examine the relevant beginnings of the U.S. bishops' conference.

The slate of nominees for several leadership positions in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was released Oct. 19; The vote will take place at the U.S. bishops' meeting Nov. 13-14 in Baltimore.