November 20, 2009 |
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 Behind–the–scenes blogs by bishopsMore bishops are reaching out to their flocks via the Web with blogs. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Boston’s archbishop and former bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, has been online for nearly two years. Florida’s own Bishop Robert N. Lynch, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, launched his blog in time for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Fall General Assembly. Bishop Lynch commented from behind–the–scenes and entered his thoughts daily — in English and Spanish (que bueno, obispo). Cardinal Seán posted a wrap–up complete with cellphone photos on Nov. 14. Click on their links and take a look behind the scenes. Ed Foster Jr. | 11.17.08 | Return To Top Florida bishops share thoughts on assembly topicsPosted: 11.17.08 The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved statements on the economy and politics during its annual fall assembly in Baltimore Nov. 10-13. Other topics addressed at the meeting were the approval of some new liturgical texts and a psalter, as well as a Blessing for a Child Within the Womb in both English and Spanish. All those proposals received enough votes to pass, although some of the texts require Vatican approval and education before they can be implemented. Florida Catholic Associate Publisher Christopher Gunty caught up with some of Florida’s bishops Nov. 10-11, the days the meeting was open to the media. MORE... Freedom of Choice Act an ‘an evil law,’ bishops sayBishops cite abortion deregulation fears in postelection statement. Posted: 11.12.08 
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC BALTIMORE (CNS) | Fears about laws and changes in regulations on abortion that might advance under a new Democratic–run Congress and White House are the central focus of a statement approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 12 during its annual fall meeting. The majority of the 830–word, untitled statement focuses on concerns about the possible passage of the Freedom of Choice Act, calling it “an evil law that would further divide our country” and adding that the church “should be intent on opposing evil.” It warns against interpreting the outcome of the Nov. 4 elections as “a referendum on abortion” and says “aggressively pro–abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans.” The statement was crafted during the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore and involved a total of nearly three hours of discussion during executive and public sessions Nov. 11. Under USCCB policies, statements drafted outside the usual committee approval process may be issued by the conference president on behalf of the bishops. MORE... Bishops address economic crisis, abortion, politicsBALTIMORE | The U.S. bishops addressed two timely realities that were not originally on the agenda, although they have been on the minds of the bishops and many Americans these days. The bishops approved Nov. 11 a statement to be issued in the name of the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, on “Solidarity at a Time of Economic Crisis.” The bishops also authorized Cardinal George to write and release a statement on the present political situation, with extensive discussion on five points that would be included in the eventual text. Because of procedural rules that preclude documents attributed to the bishops’ conference that have not gone through appropriate committees, the statements will be released in the name of only the president and not the conference. The economy statement noted, “As pastors and bishops, we see the many human and moral consequences of this crisis.” It added, “We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We all are in this together. Hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together.” MORE... Bishops’ meeting amazes Florida priestBALTIMORE | Father Art Venezia of the Diocese of Palm Beach got an eye–opening experience this week as one of the official “observers” selected to sit in on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ meeting in Baltimore. “I was amazed by the number of committees,” he told the Florida Catholic on a morning while the bishops were meeting in executive session, during which observers, other staff and experts and media are not allowed into the meeting room. Father Venezia was representing Region XIV as observer; the region encompasses most of the southeast Atlantic coast from Washington, D.C., to Florida. His time at the meeting revealed that many of the committees, which are made up of bishops, and USCCB staff work and plan all year to make reports to the bishops. “They work in so many different areas. I guess I’m getting more of a heightened awareness of what it means to be a bishop, their work with clergy, those in consecrated life and laity in their diocese, and national and international affairs,” Father Venezia said. Topics covered at the Nov. 10–13 meeting included liturgy, sacraments and theology that affect the life of the church today. “In the midst of everything, they appear to be men of holiness.” “God bless our bishops,” he said. Missal translation section rejected in June approvedPosted: 11.12.08 BALTIMORE (CNS) | Despite some continued criticism that the translation is plagued by obscure wording and sentences that are too long, the U.S. bishops approved another lengthy section of the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal Nov. 11. Needing affirmation by two–thirds of the 264 Latin–rite U.S. bishops, or 176 bishops, the heavily amended translation of the Proper of the Seasons –– made up of the proper prayers for Sundays and feast days during the liturgical year –– received 189 votes in favor and 30 against. During the bishops’ meeting in Orlando, Fla., in June, the document had failed to get the required two–thirds majority. MORE... Bishop Murry of Youngstown is new secretary–electPosted: 11.12.08 BALTIMORE (CNS) | The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops now has a secretary and a secretary–elect. And they’re the same person: Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio. In repeat elections Nov. 11, Bishop Murry was elected to succeed himself in the post he has held since last November. Because he was filling the unexpired term of Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., who was elected USCCB vice president in November 2007, Bishop Murry was eligible for another three–year term. MORE... Bishops’ task forces to develop priorities up to 2011BALTIMORE | The U.S. bishops agreed Nov. 11 to grant five task forces the authority to tackle issues ranging from strengthening marriage to addressing cultural diversity in the church as priority initiatives through 2011. During the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly, the bishops approved a host of goals for each task force to work on for the next year. Those task forces are on faith formation and sacramental practice; strengthening marriage; the life and dignity of the human person; cultural diversity in the church; and the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. MORE... Bishops to present social justice concerns to politicians
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC BALTIMORE (CNS) | With a new administration and a Democratic–dominated Congress about to take office, the U.S. bishops will spell out their concerns about policies and laws that might make abortion more readily available. After a total of nearly three hours of discussion in public and private sessions Nov. 11 during their annual fall meeting, the bishops gave their president, Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, a set of concerns about abortion and other matters to raise in a public statement he will issue on their behalf. The statement was to be completed for final approval Nov. 12. Key to their discussion was concern that they restate the church’s opposition to abortion and interest in protecting unborn children, particularly focused on potential legislation and executive orders President–elect Barack Obama might issue to relax federal policies related to abortion and embryonic stem–cell research. The bishops discussed the topic at length in executive session in the morning and came to their open afternoon session with a set of five lengthy points that the statement would include. Nevertheless, they spent another hour listening to various bishops making their cases to emphasize one angle or another. The statement would be directed at Obama and his administration, but several bishops expressed concern that it be used as a teaching tool for all people. MORE... Bishops: Help those hurt by economic crisis
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC BALTIMORE (CNS) | As the world economic crisis continues to unfold, the U.S. bishops issued a statement Nov. 11 reminding people that “we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are all in this together.” The brief statement issued by Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted that “hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together.” It was drafted during the USCCB’s annual fall meeting at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel and approved by the body of bishops in a voice vote as a statement from Cardinal George on their behalf. “As pastors and bishops, we see the many human and moral consequences of this crisis,” the statement said. Though the impact of the crisis is greater in some regions of the country, families all across the nation are losing their homes, workers are losing their jobs and health care coverage, retirement savings are threatened and people are losing the sense of hope and security, it continued. But the church will continue to “reach out to those in need, stand with those who are hurt, and work for policies that bring greater compassion, accountability and justice to economic life,” the statement said. MORE... Bishops’ conference opens with nod to historic election
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC BALTIMORE | The historic significance of the election of President-elect Barack Obama dominated the opening address of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly Nov. 10 in Baltimore. The bishops also took up consideration of a liturgical service in English and Spanish for blessing children in the womb and took up another lengthy section of the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal. “Symbolically, this is a moment that touches more than our history when a country that once enshrined race slavery in its very constitutional legal order should come to elect an African-American to the presidency,” Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, said in his opening address. “In this, I truly believe, we must all rejoice.” MORE... Election results dominate press conference questions
CNS | NANCY WIECHEC BALTIMORE | The sizable victory of President–elect Barack Obama in winning the White House became the central subject of the Nov. 10 press conference during the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore. “It’s 1932 revisited,” said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the USCCB, referring to the election in which Democratic candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt overwhelmingly defeated Republican incumbent President Herbert Hoover following the 1929 stock market crash that contributed to the Great Depression. “The American voters have turned to another party.” Though Obama’s support for keeping abortion legal is contrary to church teachings, Cardinal George acknowledged a majority of U.S. voters who identify themselves as Catholics voted for the incoming president. He also agreed that the economic crisis trumped just about every issue important to the bishops, including abortion, immigration reform and the war in Iraq. The big surprise in the election, however, was that many people who supported Obama also voted in favor of a same–sex marriage ban in California, Arizona and Florida, said Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco. MORE... |
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