All the U.S. Bishops in New Orleans this week, lots of work to do

U.S. Bishops to Meet in New Orleans for Spring General Assembly, June 11-13

 

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will meet June 11-13, in New Orleans, for their annual Spring General Assembly. The opening Mass of the June general session will be celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, USCCB president, at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis.

The second day of the general session will include presentations and discussion on two special topics: “Marriage and the Economy” and “the New Evangelization and Poverty.” Other agenda items include:

•  A presentation on the upcoming Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family.
•  A presentation on the World Meeting of Families by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., of Philadelphia and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
•  A presentation from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) regarding the relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of last November’s Typhoon Haiyan.
•  Debate and vote on the request for renewal of the recognitio granted to the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons.
•  Consultation on the cause for canonization of Father Paul Wattson, Servant of God.
•  Update and vote on proposal by working group on Faithful Citizenship.
•  A presentation on the Annual Progress Report of the bishops’ efforts to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, presented by Francesco Cesareo, Ph.D., chair of the National Review Board.
•  Debate and vote on the renewal of the bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty for an additional three year term..
•  An update from Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of Hartford, Connecticut, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism, on the work of the Subcommittee.
•  An update from Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, on the Subcommittee’s efforts.