BALTIMORE—The U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops approved today their 2018 budget and a three
percent increase in the diocesan assessment for 2019 during their annual Fall
General Assembly in Baltimore.

The 2018 budget was approved
with 125 votes in favor, 4 against, and 3 abstentions. The vote required a majority of the members present
to pass.

The three percent increase
in the diocesan assessment for 2019 was approved with 136 votes in favor, 31 against,
and 5 abstentions. This vote required approval by two-thirds of diocesan and
eparchial bishops.

The bishops also approved the ICEL Gray Book translation of the Order of Baptism of Children for use in
the dioceses of the United States of America
with 200 voting in favor, 23 against, and 3 abstaining. The vote required affirmation by two-thirds of the Latin Church members and is subject to confirmatio by the Vatican Congregation
for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. In other actions, the
bishops approved:

Development of a formal statement that would offer a
renewed pastoral plan for marriage and family life ministry and advocacy in
light of Amoris Laetitia under the
lead of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth (223-Yes,
12-No, 2-Abstain).

The addition of one staff position in service to the
Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, contingent upon funding through external
grants (177-Yes, 22-No, 2-Abstain).

The bishops also elected
the following members to the Catholic Relief
Services (CRS) Board of
Directors:

Bishop Edward J. Burns, Diocese of
Dallas; Bishop Felipe J. Estévez,
Diocese of St. Augustine; Bishop Shelton J.
Fabre, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda, Archdiocese
of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort
Wayne-South Bend; and Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami.

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
USCCB, General Assembly, 2018 Budget, Diocesan Assessment, Order of Baptism,
Catholic Relief Services, Amoris Laetitia,
Ad Hoc Committee against Racism, elections, votes.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops