U.S. Bishops to Discuss Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care and Hear Update on National V Encuentro at June General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, June 13-14

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for their annual Spring General Assembly, June 13-14 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the assembly, the full body of bishops will address a variety of topics including ethical and religious directives for Catholic healthcare services, a pastoral response to Asian and Pacific Island Catholics in the US, and the upcoming Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.

Bishop Nelson Pérez of Cleveland, chairman of the USCCB's Cultural Diversity Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, will offer the bishops an update on the V Encuentro, as dioceses conclude their regional Encuentro meetings and prepare to attend the national event, September 20-23 in Grapevine, Texas. Thus far, the V Encuentro process has engaged hundreds of thousands of Latino Catholics during local and regionally held Encuentro events across the U.S. Approximately 3000 diocesan delegates are expected to represent them at the National V Encuentro gathering.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Cultural Diversity's African American Affairs Chair and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, is also expected to provide a brief update to the General Assembly on the Pastoral Letter on Racism and report on the activities of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.  

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration will offer an update on the Share the Journey Campaign and its implementation in the United States.

Bishop Robert J. McManus, Chairman of the Committee on Doctrine's Subcommittee on Health Care, will discuss proposed revisions to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services regarding collaboration with non-Catholic entities in the provision of health care services.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty, will give a brief update on activities of the Committee, including the committee's promotion of Serving Others in God's Love: Religious Freedom Week.   

Items for discussion and votes will include proposed revisions for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and a discussion and vote on the statement Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters.

Discussion and votes will also be proposed regarding new translations of various components of the Liturgy of the Hours including certain antiphons and intercessions. This will be one of several votes due to occur for this project over the next few years. Translations of the Liturgy of the Hours Grail Psalms have already been approved for U.S. dioceses.

Added discussion and votes will occur regarding supplementary materials for the Roman Missal and the Liturgy of the Hours for the feast days of Saints John Paul II, John XXIII, and Mary Magdalene.

A joint presentation will be made to the body of bishops on the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, taking place in October. They will also present on World Youth Day taking place January 2019.

Coverage of the meeting is open to credentialed media. Sessions open to the media will be Wednesday, June 13, and the morning of Thursday, June 14. Media conferences will follow open sessions of the meeting as time allows. Reporters seeking to cover the meeting can download a credential application form available in English and Spanish and submit it by June 6 to @email or mail to:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Office of Public Affairs
June Meeting Credentials
3211 4th St. NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, June meeting, Spring General Assembly, USCCB, Fort Lauderdale, V Encuentro, Synod of Young People, the Faith and Vocations, Share the Journey, Bishop Nelson Pérez, Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop Robert J. McManus, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, media credentials, St. Pope John Paul II, St. Pope John XXIII, St. Mary Magdalene

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Media Contacts:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200