The Committee on Pastoral Practices
The Committee on Pastoral Research and Practices was one of the first committees to be established following the Second Vatican Council. It was created in response to the increasing need to coordinate the work of conference committees in matters of mutual pastoral concern. In the early 1990s, the title of the committee was changed to the Committee on Pastoral Practices. The new name was believed to reflect more accurately the committee's mandate in that the committee does not conduct "research" in the technical sense of this word, but rather recommends that research be conducted in response to identified pastoral needs. Throughout its history, the committee has remained faithful to its three recurring functions: coordination, collaboration, and interdisciplinary analysis of pastoral issues facing the Church today.
Goals & Objectives
As part of the USCCB's goal of fostering unity and collegiality between the bishops of the United States and the Roman Pontiff, the Committee on Pastoral Practices has the following objective:
In support of the Conference's goal of assisting the bishops individually and collectively in fulfilling their roles as fathers and shepherds in the Church, as well as in administering the Church's resources, the Committee undertakes efforts which strive to meet the following objectives:
- to assist the U.S. bishop delegates in preparing for participation in the Synod of Bishops.
- to utilize and, if necessary, organize interdisciplinary research and analysis of perceived pastoral needs and to recommend responses to pastoral issues;
- to study the trends affecting the sacramental life of the parish community and to suggest effective responses to these trends.
- to assist bishops in their responsibilities of developing and fostering vibrant and effective parish communities.
Current Membership
Chairman:
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Bishop of La Crosse
Members:
Most Reverend Roger J. Foys
Bishop of Covington
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante
Bishop of Camden
Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades
Bishop of Harrisburg
Most Reverend John C. Wester
Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco
Recent Publications
Penitential Practices for Today's Catholics
A brief and attractive summary of the Church's discipline with regard to penitential practices, that positively links Christ's call to prayer, fasting and abstinence.
To order: please click here.
Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
Statement from the U.S. bishops commemorating the twentieth anniversary of their pastoral statement on persons with disabilities. In brochure format, the document presents a crisp and concise framework of principles, designed to further foster access and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church and in society.
To order, please click here.
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
These guidelines from the U.S. bishops seek to improve access to the sacraments by persons with disabilities and to reduce inconsistencies in pastoral practice. They recognize the call for adequate evangelization, catechetical formation and sacramental preparation programs that enable disabled persons to prepare for and receive the sacraments.
To order, please click here.
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Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000