President and Vice President

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on the first ballot with 176 votes. Archbishop Gomez has served as vice president of the Conference since 2016. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit was elected as USCCB vice president on the third ballot by 151 to 90 in a runoff vote against Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Military Services, USA. Both the new president and vice president terms begin at the conclusion of this year’s General Assembly.

Committee Chairman

Bishop George V. Murry, SJ of Youngstown was elected as chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty in a 121-121 vote over Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami and fills the vacancy created earlier this year after the committee chairman stepped down due to health reasons. The tie vote resulted in deference to Bishop Murray by nature of age seniority; he assumes his post at the end of this year’s Fall General Assembly and will serve through November 2021 at which time he will be eligible for re-election.

The remaining five will serve for one year as chairmen-elect before beginning a three-year term at the conclusion of the bishops’ 2020 Fall General Assembly. The bishops elected as chairmen-elect are:

• Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance in a 144 to 97 vote over Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown.
• Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs in a 123 to 114 vote over Bishop Steven J. Lopes of The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.
• Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis in a 151 to 88 vote over Bishop Thomas A. Daly of Spokane.
• Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, as chairman-elect of the Committee on International Justice and Peace in a 140 to 101 vote over Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
• Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, as chairman-elect of the Committee on Protection of Children and Young People in a 167-77 vote over Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City.

News Releases

• U.S. Bishops Vote for Conference Secretary, Chairman and Chairmen-elect of Six Committees at Fall General Assembly in Baltimore
• U.S. Bishops Vote for USCCB President and Vice President at Annual General Assembly in Baltimore
• Pro Life Committee Chairman Invites Bishops to Join Initiative Serving Pregnant and Parenting Mothers in Need
• U.S. Bishops Convene for Annual General Assembly in Baltimore
• U.S. Bishops to Meet Nov. 11-13 in Baltimore; Will Elect New USCCB President, Vice President, Committee Chairs, and Vote on Seven Action Items; Assembly to Be Live Streamed, Live Tweeted
• U.S. Bishops to Vote for Chairman and Chairmen-elect of Six Standing Committees at Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 11-13, 2019

CNS News Stories

• Update: U.S. bishops examine challenges faced by church, society
• As Supreme Court hears DACA case, bishops voice support for beneficiaries
• Archbishop reports on progress of document on marriage and family life
• Bishops agree with call to have St. Irenaeus declared doctor of the church
• Update: Archbishop Gomez elected USCCB president; first Latino in post
• Update: 'Faithful Citizenship' materials reflect pope's ongoing teaching
• Update: U.S. bishops examine challenges faced by church, society
• Bishops approve new hymn texts for the Liturgy of the Hours
• Update: Bishops OK new edition of Program of Priestly Formation
• Immigration reform among priorities for new USCCB president
• Bishop Barron urges bishops to help bring people back to the church
• Bishops to vote on revised strategic priorities for the early 2020s
• USCCB assembly to review third-party reporting system, elect new officers