U.S. Bishops to Vote for Conference Secretary and for Chairmen of Six Standing Committees at Plenary Assembly in Baltimore

When the U.S. bishops gather in November for their Fall Plenary Assembly next month, they will vote for a Conference secretary, as well as chairmen for six standing committees for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

U.S. Bishops to Vote for Conference Secretary and for Chairmen of Six Standing Committees at Plenary Assembly in Baltimore

WASHINGTON – When the U.S. bishops gather in November for their Fall Plenary Assembly (November 16-19), they will vote for a Conference secretary, as well as chairmen for six standing committees for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

The position of USCCB secretary is up for a vote due to the fact that Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend was elected during the bishops’ 2025 Fall Plenary Assembly to complete the term left vacant when Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who was serving as USCCB secretary, was elected as Conference president. 

Each bishop elected will serve for one year as the chairman-elect of the respective committee before beginning a three-year term at the conclusion of the bishops’ 2027 Fall Plenary Assembly. 

The following bishops were nominated (listed under committee in alphabetical order):

USCCB SECRETARY-ELECT / CHAIRMAN-ELECT, COMMITTEE ON PRIORITIES AND PLANS

  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, Diocese of Columbus
  • Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

COMMITTEE ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION

  • Bishop James D. Conley, Diocese of Lincoln
  • Bishop Edmund J. Whalen, auxiliary bishop, Archdiocese of New York

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS

  • Bishop Daniel J. Felton, Diocese of Duluth
  • Bishop Louis Tylka, Diocese of Peoria

COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH

  • Bishop Steven J. Maekawa, O.P., Diocese of Fairbanks
  • Bishop Michael M. Pham, Diocese of San Diego

COMMITTEE ON DOCTRINE

  • Bishop William M. Joensen, Diocese of Des Moines
  • Bishop Steven J. Lopes, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL COLLECTIONS

  • Bishop Mark A. Eckman, Diocese of Pittsburgh
  • Bishop Gerald L. Vincke, Diocese of Salina

COMMITTEE ON PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES

  • Bishop John T. Folda, Diocese of Fargo
  • Bishop Donald J. Hying, Diocese of Madison

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