News from the U.S. Bishops meeting

(As reported by Catholic News Service et al)

• Concerned about a perceived excess of statements, campaigns, etc. coming from the Bishops Conference, the Bishops adopted new internal processes for prioritizing and pacing such activities, so that their efforts may be more pastorally effective.
  
  In that spirit, given the urgent concerns about marriage in the U.S. (evidenced by current political and other controversies), the bishops voted to accelerate a new pastoral initiative on marriage ahead of other important matters that may be less urgent and specific, such as an upcoming campaign to encourage the reading of Scripture (that would only supplement already existing efforts in parishes and dioceses).


• The bishops unanimously approved formal Spanish-language liturgical texts to meet specific needs of the growing number of Latin American Catholics in the U.S.


• Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, chairman of the bishops' Committee on the North American College, announced a $25 million capital campaign for the college - the U.S. seminary in Rome. Most would be used to increase its endowment, while $10.7 million would be used to make necessary improvements in its buildings (some of which are 400 years old).


• The bishops voted to join the new national ecumenical forum: Christian Churches Together in the USA.


• With regard to the proper disposition of politicians and other Catholics to receive Holy Communion, the primary pastoral responsibility remains with the bishop of a Diocese. On the conference level, committees will continue to consult among the bishops and with the Holy See to develop any further guidance that may be appropriate.