Texas bishops will play prominent roles at USCCB

Fall General Assembly

The bishops of Texas, including Bishop Mulvey of Corpus Christi, are in Baltimore this week to take active roles in the 2014 Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Liturgical matters will be on center stage of the event?s agenda, with five items up for consideration.

In addition, the bishops will choose a new secretary-elect and the chairmen-elect of five committees, conduct the canonical consultation on the sainthood cause of Father Paul Wattson, and consider possible revision to the ?Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.?

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, who is president of the USCCB, will deliver his first presidential address. He was elected to a three-year term last November. As is customary, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States, will also will address the assembly.

On the first day of the meeting, the bishops will concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore to honor the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the first diocese founded in the United States.

In USCCB elections, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans, the former Shepherd of the Diocese of Austin, and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services have been nominated as secretary-elect. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio and Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, Washington have been nominated to lead the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.

Several presentations are also scheduled for the Fall General Assembly. Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, the outgoing chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church will join Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha, Nebraska, chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education, for a discussion on underserved communities and Catholic schools.

There will also be updates on USCCB?s religious liberty and defense of marriage efforts.

The 2014 Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will be live streamed on the Internet. The live stream will be available at www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/. News updates, vote totals, addresses and other materials will be posted to this page. Those wishing to follow the meeting on social media can do so at twitter.com/USCCBLive with the hashtag #usccb14. Updates will also be posted to www.facebook.com/usccb.