The work of the U.S. bishops at Atlanta meeting

    Outlined below is my brief summary of the meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops  in Atlanta, June 13-15.
    1. The papal nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Viganò, joined us for the meeting and extended the greetings of Pope Benedict XVI. He also expressed his concern regarding religious liberty in the United States and appreciates the voice of the bishops on this topic. He appreciates the Fortnight for Freedom and will participate in this observance. He emphasized that as a Church, we must speak with one voice on this and all pastoral issues.
    The nuncio affirmed the gift of technology, but reminded us to be truly available to our people and to respond to their needs in a reasonable time and in a personal way.
    2. We received a report on the National Review Board for the Protection of Young People.  The report addressed three areas:
    a.) Education of clergy and laity and the importance of safe environment.
    b.) Specific recommendations for seminarians and priests for preventing situations that could enable abuse.
    c.) Continued accountability through diocesan audits and implementation of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
    We also heard a report on what has been done during the past 10 years in implementing the charter and in protecting children.
    3. The bishops endorsed a proposal to draft a document entitled “Catholic Reflections on Work, Poverty and a Broken Economy.” It will be a brief pastoral message addressing the social justice challenges in the United States today. Once drafted, it must be approved by the body of bishops.
    4. The new Director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Dr. Carolyn Woo, gave a brief overview of the work of CRS in 100 countries today.
    5. The “Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis” gave a presentation of the Year of Faith and discussed the Synod to be held in October 2012 in Rome. The task of evangelization is to awaken faith in those who do not know Jesus and to invite those who know him to a deeper relationship with Christ and a fuller life of discipleship. See the USCCB website (usccb.org) for more info.
    6. We spent several hours listening to presentations on religious liberty and discussing this most important issue we are facing today in the United States.  We also had speakers discussing international religious liberty.
    7. We received a report on the work of defending the traditional meaning of marriage as taught by the Church. There are several catechetical materials that will be available in the fall on marriage and family life that will assist us in teaching on the importance of the sacrament of marriage.
    8. The bishops’ Communications Committee continues to research ways in which the USCCB can use the social media for the work of the Church and how it can be used for the “new evangelization.” Much still needs to be done by us in this regard.
    9. The bishops discussed the USCCB Strategic Plan for 2013-2016. The theme is “The New Evangelization” and includes the following priorities:
    Faith Formation and Sacramental Practice; Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Religious Liberty; Strengthening Marriage and Families.
    Thanks to all those who support the ministry of the bishops and remember the work of the USCCB in prayer.
    Don’t forget to participate in the Fortnight for Freedom from June 21-July 4. Through prayer and discussion with others we can be a voice to protect the religious liberty we hold as a precious gift in the United States.