WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will meet in
Baltimore, November 13-14, for their fall general assembly. During the
assembly, the bishops will elect a new secretary for the Conference as well as
five committee chairs. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston,
will also give his first address to the body of bishops as President of the
USCCB as he completes the first year of his three-year term. In addition, the
body of bishops will also hear an update from the bishops working group on
immigration.

The bishops will vote for new chairmen-elect of the following six USCCB
committees: Committee on Communications, Committee on Cultural Diversity in the
Church, Committee on National Collections, Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Committee
on Doctrine, and a Chairman for the Committee for Religious Liberty. Bishop nominees for the board of directors
for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will also elected.

The assembly will vote on the ICEL Gray Book translation of the Order of Baptism of Children text which
reflects the translation principles introduced in Liturgian authenticam. They will also discuss and vote on the
Conference’s 2018 budget.

There will also be a voice vote on the cause for canonization for a Lakota holy man and medicine man turned Catholic
teacher named Nicholas Black Elk, Sr., sought by Bishop Robert Gruss of Rapid City.

Several reports will also be given including a report from the National
Advisory Council, as well as a report from Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Chairman of
the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and from Bishop Frank Dewane, Chairman of
the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Bishop George Murry,
Chairman of the newly established Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, will also
give an update report. The bishops will also hear updates on the Share the
Journey campaign launched by Pope Francis on September 27 and reports from Sean
Callahan, President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services as well as Sister
Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D., President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA).

An update will also be given on the Convocation of Catholic Leaders in America
that took place July 1-4, 2017 in Orlando, Florida, as well as reports on
preparations for the upcoming V National Encuentro of
Hispanic/Latino Ministry and the 2018 Synod for Young People, Faith and
Vocational Discernment. The Most Reverend José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, OSA, Archbishop of Panama will also present
on preparations for the 2019 World Youth Day.

On Sunday evening, a Mass will also be held in downtown, Baltimore. The Mass
will mark the Centennial Anniversary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops.

The Conference will take place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel.

Coverage of the bishops’ meeting is open to credentialed media. Sessions
open to the media will be Monday, November 13, and Tuesday, November 14. There
will be media conferences after each open session. Reporters interested in
covering the meeting can download a credential application form at: https://www.usccb.org/about/public-affairs/upload/application-news-media-credentials.pdf.

Note: Please submit application form by no later than November 7, via email
to USCCB Media Relations, fax (202) 541-3173, or by mail:

November Meeting Credentials
Office of Media Relations
3211 4th St. NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194

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Keywords: USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal
Daniel N. DiNardo, Fall General Assembly, November meeting, Baltimore,
committees, elections, chairmen, vote, USCCB centennial.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops