At first of my service to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I’m reminded of the vital role that the conference can play in facilitating the ministry of each bishop. The theological and juridical nature of a conference was well illustrated by St. John Paul II in “Apostolos Suos”: “The authority of the Episcopal Conference and its field of motion are in strict relation to the authority and motion of the diocesan Bishop and the Bishops reminiscent of them in law. Bishops ‘preside within the place of God over the flock whose shepherds they’re, as teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship and ministers of presidency.’ (“Lumen Gentium,” No. 20)”
Consequently, I view the work of the conference by way of its service to the pastoral ministry of the bishops, successors of the Apostles, of their care of those entrusted to them. Pope Francis has spoken in similar terms. That service takes many forms. It’s fitting that my first act as president of the conference was to appoint Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia, as chairman of the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services, the outreach of the church in the US to those outside our borders who’re in need. We’ve been very blessed as a nation, and we mustn’t ever forget the Gospel imperative, which will even be the terms of our final judgment, to see Christ in those in need.
While every diocese engages in that care, it’s fitting that we act in concert to reply to needs in other lands. It has been my privilege to serve almost eight years as a member of the board of directors of C.R.S.
I’m not suggesting that we ignore disagreement, but that we handle it in an evangelical fashion.
Throughout the prayer of ordination for a bishop within the Latin Church, the Word of God is held open above the top of the ordinand. It’s a reminder that he’s to be stuffed with the Gospel and will likely be its first teacher in his area of responsibility. Together we would like to be sure that our teaching is born from the Word of God, that it reaches the men and women of our time in a way that enables them to welcome and live by that Word, which must come alive in our worship.
The Eucharistic Revival, which is part of the way in which forward for the united statesC.C.B., also expressed in our strategic planning, offers a chance for all to deepen faith in Jesus Christ present body, blood, soul and divinity within the Eucharist and to cultivate our hunger to receive him worthily and infrequently. We’re a people who celebrates the eucharistic sacrifice, the source and summit of our faith. As bishops, we must be sure that our faithful know and rejoice this unique gift. It’s a privilege to be an element of this revival.
The Eucharist can also be the sacrament of unity. We do suffer from a damaged unity. “Apostolos Suos,” cited firstly of this reflection, speaks often of the importance of episcopal unity. We’ve a responsibility to cultivate that unity, which doesn’t mean that we’re carbon copies of each other or at all times have the identical approaches to an issue. It does mean that, if we disagree, we first speak amongst ourselves. We should not obliged to mimic the society around us by contributing to diatribes about others.
We must turn down the quantity of dissent in order to listen to the voice of the Lord…
The Lord Jesus reminds us in several places in Scripture how we’re to take care of disagreements, dissension and sin. It is useful to contemplate his teaching before we set out on a plan of action that may exacerbate the tensions within the church and the world. I’m not suggesting that we ignore disagreement, but that we handle it in an evangelical fashion.
At the peak of the talk a few document on the Eucharist on the spring meeting of 2021, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, then conference president, found a solution to allow every bishop who so desired to take the ground and express his concerns to the body of bishops. The resulting document may not have answered all concerns, however it was approved by an amazing majority of bishops!
As teachers of the religion, we must first instruct by the instance of our charity, fraternity and moderation of speech. We must cultivate the silence that Pope Francis so often advocates. We must turn down the quantity of dissent in order to listen to the voice of the Lord, who knocks on the door and invites us to communion with him also through communion with others, to start with in the faculty of bishops.
Preaching the Gospel also includes filial attention to the teaching of the bishop of Rome. As a church under and with Peter, we reply to his urging to take care of the poor, to cultivate protection of our common home and to succeed in out to the margins with the healing message of the Master. The usC.C.B. has many committees, subcommittees and departments that pursue inserting the Gospel in our society, making our concerns known to legislators and government, and keeping the general public aware of the message of Pope Francis.
There may be rather more to say concerning the role of our conference and its current officers. Personally, I pray that the Lord might encourage me to be effective in proclaiming the Gospel on this latest role and never stopping others from making the Word of the Lord resound in today’s world.
Editor’s note: Text has been edited in accordance with America’s style guide.