Bishops Adopt Message on Confession, 2013-2016 Strategic Plan, Approve Canonical Step for Dorothy Day Sainthood Cause

BALTIMORE—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a message inviting Catholics to more frequent participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, approved their 2013-1016 strategic plan, and advanced the canonization cause of Dorothy Day during their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 13.

The bishops approved the message on confession in a 236-1 vote. The new strategic plan, which focuses on the New Evangelization, passed in a 233-0 vote, with four bishops abstaining.

The bishops also participated in a consultation on the sainthood cause of Dorothy Day, the U.S. activist and founder of the Catholic Worker movement. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB, led the bishops in discussion in his role as archbishop of New York, which is overseeing the cause. The bishops approved the advancement of Day's cause in a voice vote.

The bishops approved adding the optional memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos to the U.S. liturgical calendar in a 213-1 vote, with one bishop abstaining. They also approved the creation of a new public affairs position for the USCCB in a 202-25 vote, with four bishops abstaining.

The bishops rejected a proposed document, "The Hope of the Gospel in Difficult Economic Times." The message received a vote of 134-85-9, falling short of a necessary two-thirds majority.

More information on the bishops' meeting is available online: www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/index.cfm

---

Keywords: bishops, Baltimore, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, November meeting, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Dorothy Day, strategic plan, New Evangelization, confession, Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, public affairs

# # # # #