Thread by @jdflynn

Hey everybody.

In 15 minutes, Day 2 of #USCCB21 will begin. Today is a pretty full schedule of debate, and I'll be livetweeting it all right here. (Well, in a couple different threads, just to make it easier.)

Before we get started, just a reminder: I aim to give you a straight summary of what's going on, and I do that in real time. I'm not always 💯, and I am often paraphrasing. A quote is not a quote without "..."

If I make an editorial aside, I try to label it as such

*cont

And I urge you to take this as a real-time, on the fly, best-as-I-can summary of what's going. If I get something wrong, feel free to note it, but please know I'm not trying to spin, gloss, or editorialize here, I'm trying to capture it.

*cont

Why do I live-tweet the meetings, you might ask? I don't know. I've just done it for a while and it's become my custom. You can read far more in depth coverage and analysis at @PillarCatholic.

Also, forewarned is forearmed, I find that I generally get a bit punchy as the meeting continues and things get heated.
#USCCB21

On schedule of #USCCB21 today is a lot of stuff:

-Report from the National Review Board
-Consultation on the causes for canonization of two potential saints
-Vote on drafting a new statement on Native American/Alaska Native ministry
-Debate and vote on liturgical translations

More schedule of #USCCB21 today:
-Debate and vote on "Called to the Joy of Love," a pastoral framework on marriage and family life ministry.
-Debate and vote on drafting pastoral framework on youth and young adult ministry
-Debate and vote on drafting a statement on Eucharist.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1. We've got some piano-ish jazz going. Definitely more of a "brunch jazz" vibe than the tunes yesterday.

The meeting is now beginning. Welcome to Day 2 of #USCCB21

+Vigneron opens meeting with an "Our Father."

(or a Pater Noster in English, if you prefer.)

+Vigneron: Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

+Gomez: I hope we continue our good conversation as a sign of our commitment to our people and the Church in the US.

Suzanne Healy, Chair of the National Review Board, now gives a prerecord message.

The National Review Board advises the USCCB on "safe environment" issues, and oversees the annual audit of diocesan adherence to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Healy:

4250 allegations reported in 2020 audit cycle (I think she said) but most were historical allegations.

22 current allegations reported.

Healy:

Allegations represented 4% of clergy during the John Jay study.

Today the number of new allegations is in less than 1% of clergy.

NRB wants to acknowledge the difference Church is making.

Healy: We must attend to hurt of victims of historical allegations, and learn the lessons, and perfect our practices, to minimize risk, restore trust, and create a culture of safety.

#USCCB21

Healy: When I reflect on where we have come from 2002, the process of "ever-evolving" comes to mind.

Church's response to healing and care for survivors has evolved, is evolving, and needs to continue to evolve.

Healy:

We must focus on:
Healing,
reconciliation,
accountability,
transparency,
and ongoing eduction.

#USCCB21

Healy: Pain of abuse is lifelong, and our efforts to protect and heal must be lifelong as well.

#USCCB21

Healy:
Msgr. Stephen Rosetti and Teresa Pitt-Green, a survivor of clerical sexual abuse, said in a recent broadcast that we must continue to build relationships with survivors.

Rosetti said we have not fulfilled Gospel mandate until we become voice of voiceless victims

#USCCB21

Healy:

We must broaden our response to practicing and non-practicing Catholics, and to clerics who have been devastated by crisis.

Healy:

NRB has long wanted to strengthen our assessment in audits. We have not completed our obligations until we have 100% participation in audit process.

35% of dioceses did not have a formalized parish audit program in place. Instituting parish audits improves safety

Healy:
The Child Protection office at the conference can help parishes and dioceses to do better.

Healy:
Vos estis Catholic Bishops' Abuse Reporting Service is a good step, but the service needs to be audited to ensure it is working well.

Healy:
Publishing lists of clerics with substantiated allegations, alive or dead, is one means of communicating to victims that "we hear you."

We have a long way to go in this area.

One survivor waited six years before her abuser to be listed.

#USCCB21

Healy: NRB regards such lists as exemplary practices.

We should also accompany and assist victims throughout the process.

Healy:

we published a statement about McCarrick Report, and are now working on some findings from that report, including systemic reporting failures, manipulation, etc

Healy:

NRB did not support metropolitan model, but we are grateful that what happened in ArchNY with McCarrick worked. "What we have in place works."

#USCCB21

Healy:

We are aware that some of our recommendations go beyond the specific text of the Charter. But we know that going beyond can be important.

"We are not Biblical literalists. Therefore, we may wish to evolve beyond being Charter literalists."

#USCCB21

Healy will take questions.

+Soto:
+Gomez: We cannot see you.
+Soto: Sorry I'm in the dark. I want to affirm the idea that we do an audit of vos estis. Does that belong to child and youth protection committee or another committee?
Burrill: Committee could take it up, but canonical affairs too

+Brennan of Columbus: I advocate in favor of on-site audits (seemingly of both parishes - which is a newer idea in the last few years - and not dioceses, which is a long-term standing practice). Support onsite parish audits. Worth the effort

+Healy: I agree with Brennan and Soto

+Paprocki: WRT to Soto, the Canon Law Society of America is doing a review of Vos estis with our canonical affairs committee. I'm working with Susan Mulheron, chancellor of ArchSPM (and a friend of JD), Diane Barr, chanc of Balt, and Msgr. Jenkins, dean of CUA canon law school

Aside from JD: I hope Susan doesn't mind that I publicly acknowledged our friendship!

+Lorenzo, OSB, aux of Newark: the new book VI of the CIC establishes that abuse by a lay person or religious is a canonical grave delict. So we might need to study the charter to update.

+Gomez: Good idea.

+Etienne of Seattle: Thanks for drawing attention to the healing work necessary for survivors. Not just for survivors but for the people in the pews and clerics. That speaks to my own efforts and experience in the ArchSeattle. We'd be glad for NRB recommendations or suggestions.

+Gomez: Thanks
+Healy: I thank you and I support you and when we met with the committee on child protection this weekend, we talked about that. We'll offer any assistance we can.

End of discussion.

#USCCB21

+Listecki, chair of the canonical affairs committee, will now present consultations for the causes of two prospective saints.

When a canonization is being considered, bishops must consult with "the faithful," the bishops, and the Holy See.

#USCCB21

Two potential saints will be consulted. This is not a vote of approval, but a vote of consultation.

These are the potential saints are being considered:

Father Joseph Lafleur and Leonard LaRue

pillarcatholic.com/p/servants-of-…

#USCCB21

+Deshotel of Lafayette, Louisana, is now presenting Father Joseph Lafleur by pre-recorded video message.

#USCCB21

Facts about Fr. Lafleur

Born in 1912
Ordained in 1938
Became a military chaplain
Became a POW in Japan during WWII
Killed Sept 7 1944, while on a Japanese POW ship torpedoed by a US submarine.

Was known for his charity, generous service, and advocacy for his fellow POWs.

+Deshotel:

Fr. Lafleur gave the men his food, he volunteered for dangerous and hard work details, he gave them his food, he led fellow POWs in prayer as ship went down, and helped them escape the ship even as he himself was killed.

He "lived as an example of Christ."

#USCCB21

Floor open for comments.

#USCCB21

+Provost of Lake Charles:

I support this cause. I was assigned in the 70s-80s to Fr. Lafleur's parish. Older parishioners remembered his holiness.

aside from JD: this guy's office is AWESOME

+Broglio, Archbishop of Military Services:

I too support this cause. Fr. Lafluer exemplifies what the priesthood was all about. And I have been deeply impressed by seeing the remembrance of people for Fr. Lafluer.

aside from JD: Less awesome office, but, what can you do?

+Gomez: We usually vote on these consultations by voice, but we can't do that on our virtual meeting. So vote now. Do you support this cause for canonization?

aside from JD: everytime they vote virtually, I feel like we're on the set of a new Game Show Network pilot.

99% of bishops voted in favor of the canonization cause of Fr. Joseph Verbis Lafleur proceeding to its next steps.

+Listecki is explaining that the bishops will now vote (consultatively) on whether the canonization cause of Br. Marinus (Leonard) LaRue, OSB, should proceed.

+Sweeney of Paterson will present by prerecorded video.

Facts about Br. Marinus (Leonard) LaRue, OSB:

-Born in 1914 in Philly. (west philadelphia? born and raised?)
-Became Merchant Marine, bringing supplies to American soliders in Korea during Korean War
- In 1950, helped 14000 Korean refugees escape to a South Korean island

Facts about Br. Marinus (Leonard) LaRue, OSB, cont:
--entered an NJ Benedictine monastery in 1954, taking the name Brother Marinus.
-- died in 2001.

+Sweeney: He exemplifies holiness in the lay and religious vocations.

#USCCB21

+Sweeney:
I'm from Brooklyn, I'm a lifer (entered seminary in high school), I was ordained with one guy, Fr. Gabriel Lee, has parents who were born in Korea. He is one of many Korean priests in the Brooklyn diocese.

Br. Marinus, I have learned, is beloved by Korean Catholics.

+Sweeney:
--When the Benedictine abbey in Newton was going to be closed, a monastery in Korea sent six monks, which gave new vitality to monastery.

--Br. Marinus could be the first saint who was a US Merchant Marine.

#USCCB21

Floor open for comments.

#USCCB21

+Cahill of Victoria, Texas, and bishop promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea, which supplies pastoral care to seafarers:

I support this and thank you for everyone for working on it.

+Lorenzo, OSB, aux of Newark: My monastery is close to Br. Marinus' monastery. I knew him. He was holy. I strongly support his cause.

#USCCB21

+Sweeney:
To learn more, you can read "Mariner and Monk," a book on Br. Marinus.

amazon.com/Mariner-Monk-P…

Bishops will now vote (consultatively) on whether to advance the cause of canonization for Servant of God Br. Marinus LaRue.

The ballots are open now.

#USCCB21

"Voting starts now"

99% of bishops supported that the cause of Br. Marinus should proceed.

Next on the agenda, Bishop James Wall of Gallup will give a presentation on the development of a new formal statement and comprehensive vision for Native American/Alaska Native ministry.

#USCCB21

Wall's diocese has a large Catholic Native American population, as it mostly spans Native American reservations. It is, per capita, one of the poorest parts of the US.

+Wall
In 2019, there was listening session with Catholic Native Americans and ministry leaders, many of whom said that ministry among Native Americans is a low priority in the Church. Last pastoral plan was 1977, when attitudes on race, culture, and ministry, were different.

+Wall:
Some issues, like reconciliation from the residential school period, have never been addressed. The pastoral plan would address those issues.

Bishops will be voting on whether they authorize the subcommittee on Native American ministry to draft a new pastoral plan, which would be voted upon in specifica down the road, after being drafted.

#USCCB21

Discussion is now open.

#USCCB21

+Hebda (Susan Mulheron's boss) - I support this. I would encourage the drafters to recall ministry to Native Americans in urban centers, as we experience in the Twin Cities.

+Wall: There are more Native Americans living in urban centers than on reservations. We take into account

+Warfel of Great Falls-Billings:
Native Americans can be present, yet unseen and unheard, and are often second class citizens, even in the Church. I support this initiative.

#USCCB21

Aside from JD: If Billings has a minor league baseball team, I hope it is called the Billings Method.

+Lucia of Syracuse: Will the document talk about residential schools, and will it talk about the doctrine of discovery? No document can say it all, but that concern has been raised to me.

+Wall: That has been part of our discussion in subcommittee, and we'll take into account.

+Etienne: I am in favor of proposal. In my years as bishop in Wyoming, Alasaka, and Seattle, "I've grown to love our Native American people, our Alaskan Native people." This is timely and important, and am in favor of it.

#USCCB21

+Ricken: I too am in favor of this idea. There are tremendous needs for healing and spiritual needs. Being able to talk about differences and connections between traditional Native American spiritualities and Catholic spirituality is important. Also St. Kateri is good.

+Biegler of Cheyenne:
(after brief tech mix up) I am in support. There is a need for a greater understanding of what's happened here. Both Native and white people need an understanding of the history of what's transpired here.

#USCCB21

+Clark, aux of Los Angeles: I am in favor. LA is second-largest urban community of Native Americans in the US. We should recognize the situation of urban Native Americans. I know many Native Americans are suspicious of the Church. Also, the Cali bishops have made outreach.

Aside from JD, and also Tupac: Do the California bishops know how to party?

+Wall: We are doing consultation with many groups, including Native Americans of many cultures. Mentions Mayans -- (who come to the US from the Yucatan, and have preserved much of their language and culture)

+Olmsted: We not only need to look at the past, like residential schools, but also Catholic schools we have now which serve Native American communities well.

Also, COVID had a terrible impact on Native American communities -- the health of Native brothers and sisters important.

+Olmsted: Also, we should talk about fostering vocations among Native American Catholics.

+Naumann of Kansas City Kansas: I am in favor. Here in Kansas we have the Potawatomi people, of which Archbishop Chaput is one. And St. Rose Philippine Duchesne lived in Native American communities in what is now our archdiocese.

Bishops will now vote. Approval requires a majority. Voting will be open for bishops until 6pm. Results will be posted tomorrow.

+Blair, chairman of the liturgy committee, will now open discussion on liturgical text translations.

First is the ICEL translation of propers, antiphons, and martyrology translation for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

#USCCB21

Discussion is open.

First up, +Soto: It seems the "one God" language is still in the text, are we gonna fix that?

Menke: You have a good eye Bishop Soto. We'll fix it.

+Gomez: Good eye.

Here's what Soto is talking about:
pillarcatholic.com/p/on-ash-wedne…

Voting is now open.

We'll find out if it passes tomorrow. I bet it does.

+Blair will now present for debate and vote ICEL translation "Liturgy of the Hours: Additional Intercessions and Psalter Concluding Prayers"

There are proposed amendments. Those amendments are usually made availalbe to journos. Right now bishops have them, but we don't

There is a slate of proposed amendments that the committee on divine worship has indicated they are willing to accept, and the bishops will vote on those amendments. But they have not been distributed to journalists. At least this journalist.

The first group of amendments are adopted by what's called a "consent motion."

Now two proposed amendments will be presented for a vote that the committee suggests be rejected. This can pass by a consent motion too, or bishops can ask for a full consideration.

We don't have 'em

By consent motion, the amendments in group two are rejected.

What's happening now is that +Thomas has a question. I'm not sure what it is. And Fr. Menke is asked to answer it, but I'm more than a bit confused, because he didn't ask the question. Anyway, that seems resolved.

Now +Thomas is asking the question.

In the response in the intercessions, when we pray the LOTH in groups especially, there is often a spotty understanding of how to respond. Could the committee give a little note explaining how to do the responses of the intercessions?

+Blair: Good observation, very reasonable and practical. We can take that into account. Fr. Menke?

Menke: We will discuss that.

If you're curious, here's what Fr. Menke looks like:

Voting is now open. Approval requires 2/3 of voting bishops. voting open until 6pm, we'll get results tomorrow.

+Blair now presents approval of a newly translated Order of Penance. No amendments are proposed, so there can now be discussion and a vote.

+Sample: When this is promulgated, it would be a good time to remind confessors to actually use the formula for absolution. Penitents get very concerned when a priest "messes around" if you will w/ formula for absolution, and that causes concern. I don't know why priests do this

+Sample: It's very hard for people if they walk out of the confessional and find themselves wondering if they actually got absolved validly. We should remind confessors: b

PLEASE, USE THE FORMULA THAT'S PROVIDED BY THE CHURCH.

+Soto: The text in some places says his, with "her" in paranthesis thereafter. Why not use "their" instead of his/her in the text?

+Blair: We don't use the plural for a singular his or her.

+Blair: The work of ICEL was complicated by the use of gender in language, and they worked hard at it, but I don't see them using "their" to refer to an individual person.

#USCCB21

Voting is now open. Will be open until 6pm. I am moving to a new thread.