Thread by @GregErlandson

The proposed document would be shared with other committees in the Conference. It will be discussed by the administrative committee. And it will be subject to amendments proposed. #USCCB21

Apparently the document will also undergo some sort of informal review by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, according to the letter from Abp DiNoia read yesterday by Abp Gomez. #USCCB21

Abp Warfel is suggesting that the document be made available for regional meetings so that all bishops could have input on the document. This step may be before the November meeting. This would allow the greatest amount of input. #USCCB21 Bp Rhoades is open to the idea.

Bp Strickland says part 3 is critically important. Need to connect repentance, confession, firm purpose of amendment before reception of the Eucharist. Urges the document makes clear the connection between Confession and Communion. #USCCB21

Bp Strickland says there is confusion among young people about repenting of sins before receiving the Lord. Says all must be held to this standard. #USCCB21

Abp Lori of Baltimore speaks in favor of the document. Stresses the outline's pastoral character. Says his pastors feel strongly about the centrality of the Eucharist in the lives of the people. Document could be a foundation for the proposed Eucharistic revival project. #USCCB21

Lori says this document will be a starting point for the call to dialogue that Cardinal Ladaria has called the bishops to. #USCCB21

Bishop Cary of Baker says having a pro-choice Catholic president is an "unprecedented situation." Supports proposed pastoral as foundational for conversations going forward. #USCCB21

Abp Sample is glad that we are not talking about a national policy regarding pro-choice Catholic politicians, but is a teaching document. He argues that there is nothing in Card. Ladaria's letter that is inconsistent with the proposed document. #USCCB21

+Sample: this document is the way forward for having dialogue among the bishops. Also feels it will facilitate dialogue with Catholic political leaders. #USCCB21

Bp Tyson said he is listening carefully but is not on board with the proposal. heartened it is not a national policy. How will this document be different from previous statements on the Eucharist? Also quotes Pope about all lives that are at risk in society along with unborn.

Bp Tyson asks if the document is just focusing on abortion. What other issues violate Euch coherence? Bp Rhoades says it will be broader than the 2006 document by conference. Rhoades says document won't just focus on one issue. #USCCB21

Other issues raised by Pope like human trafficking would be scandalous and therefore relevant. Also a leader of a white supremacist group. Document may or may not get into specifics. #USCCB21

Card. Cupich is asking about the ambiguity of the document. Is it about politicians and their reception of the Eucharist, or is it a broader teaching document re all Catholics. Asks if the outline can be amended. #USCCB21

Card. Cupich also says pastors are concerned that at a time when they are trying to get people back to church, the bishops are talking about excluding some people. He says right now he is not inclined to support the proposal. #USCCB21

Bp Rhoades response: It will be a document for all Catholics, but there is a special concern about prominent Catholics because of the risk of scandal.
Rejects the idea of dropping the issue of Eucharistic consistency. Wants to look at the reasons behind the Church's discipline.

Bishop Degrood says the document is an opportunity for very clear succinct teaching on the beauty of the Church's teaching on the Eucharist. Says the proposal is step forward as shepherds, united and offering clear teaching. This is our role, he said. Will help diffuse confusion.

Bp McElroy feels there could be unanimity if consistency is broken off from the teaching of the Eucharist or breaking off the identification of categories of people. But the question of exclusion from the Eucharist is now becoming divisive. Question is how we are called to teach.

McElroy says there will be 3 consequences of this proposal if we move toward Eucharistic exclusion:
1. Eucharist becomes weaponized in partisan battles.
2. Limitation to abortion and euthanasia will limit the church's witness in other areas of moral concern.
#USCCB21

3.Will confirm those who say the USCCB is partisan.
Bp. Rhoades says it will not be limited to abortion and euthanasia.
In Aparecida document mentions abortion but also other grave sins against human life. This document is source of expression of Eucharistic consistency
#USCCB21

Bp Conley of Lincoln says document will be opportunity to speak about the Real Presence to Catholics and non-Catholics. Says this is an opportunity for something very beautiful. #USCCB21

Abp Naumann, chair of prolife committee, supports the document. He likes the idea of being able to have discussions of the document in regional meetings. Rejects accusation that the bishops are rushing into this. #USCCB21

Abp Naumann says Abortion is not the only issue. Also racism, human trafficking. He feels that the Church has not brought us to this point, but public officials have. Says abortion is now discussed not as a choice but as a right. Will then need to be supported by taxes. #USCCB21

Abp Naumann defends abortion as a "preeminent issue" because of the lives taken. Says it is not the only issue.
Says Pope Francis agrees with the language of "preeminent" when it comes to abortion.
#USCCB21

Abp Wester calls for a brief pastoral reflection on what it means to be the Body of Christ. Relevant now that we are coming out of the pandemic, racial strife, etc.
Wants to call it "Welcome Home." Be an invitation back to the Eucharist. #USCCB21

Abp Cordileone says document will be a teaching document. People can make different prudential judgments but all should agree on the teaching. #USCCB21

+Cordileone says each bishop makes the decision how to implement at the local level.
He feels that if Catholics can't speak out on this core Catholic value, how can they be taken seriously on other issues. Says eyes of the nation are on the bishops now.
#USCCB21

Bishop Medley feels bishops have lost the narrative. Media is reporting solely on Eucharistic consistency and who will be excluded.
If project is to proceed, there needs to be clarification about what it will NOT say.
Also criticizes media for its reporting. #USCCB21

Bp Stowe says he is hearing discrepancies on what this document is about. Says the conversation shows that there is a need for dialogue among the bishops. Feels not the right time to issue this document.
#USCCB21

Card. Gregory says this is an unusual moment, following the isolation of the past pandemic year. Says he cannot recall a similar moment. Feels that there has always been time of coming together in prayer and dialogue. Mentions the abuse scandal 20 years ago. #USCCB21

+Gregory says unity of the conference has been weakened. Quotes Ladaria letter re serene dialogue among bishops and with people. Says the bishops need to spend personal time together prior to taking next step or advance proposed statement. #USCCB21

+Gregory refers to Ladaria' "wise recommendations." The choice before us is either we strengthen unity among ourselves or write a document that may damage that unity. #USCCB21

Card. DiNardo favors document. He says some arguments against document interesting, but does not want to ascribe motives to those who support the document. Feels that there will be time for serene dialogue and conversation. #USCCB21

Abp Kurtz says he will welcome a foundational document. He is happy to hear it is not a policy directing a local bishop. He says a foundational document is needed, and it will unite the bishops with one another. Pastoral judgments may not be the same, of course.#USCCB21

Abp Kurtz is one of several bishops who has expressed concern about the media coverage of the Communion debate. Bp Knestout now expresses concern about the political narrative of some of the media coverage.
Knestout support document, but says we must stress it is a teaching doc.

Abp Gomez says 19 more bishops want to speak, so he is extending the time for the discussion. #USCCB21

Bishop Jackels is not supporting the document. Feels there is already information on the Church's teaching and that pastors are already competent to speak about church teaching or to engage in dialogue. #USCCB21

Bp Bamberra says he has concerns about Card. Ladaria's letter. He says cardinal is suggesting a two stage dialogue in light of what is proposed. Dialogue with politicians. And the need to consult with other bishops' conferences.
#USCCB21

Bamberra expresses concern that unity of the conference in question. Feels that the Conference should follow closely the protocols proposed by Ladaria. #USCCB21

Bp Olson of Fort Worth says bishops can't focus exclusively on abortion, but it is a sin of great gravity. People want a voice of clarity, pastoral exhortation and charity. #USCCB21

Bp Biegler says he is concerned that a document on Eucharist could be a source of disunity. Says bishops should heed Cardinal Ladaria's encouragement for dialogue. Says if efforts promote discord, we will have failed. #USCCB21

Bp Biegler joins others in advocating the breaking off the section on Eucharistic consistency. Also feels bishops should start meeting personally in the next 3 months. Believes the discernment would lead to the June meeting in 2022 after opportunities for dialogue. #USCCB21

As the bishops continue to speak on proposal, we are hearing a remarkable and extensive discussion in which there are clear divisions and disagreements. The bishops are certainly modeling for us how to disagree as Catholics Will they also model how to find unity? #USCCB21

Abp Coakley says the Lord is asking the bishops to trust. He supports the motion, and says the bishops will have ample opportunity to debate and amend. If necessary can vote against. But people need us to take action, he says. #USCCB21

Bp Wall says such a teaching document is needed in his diocese. He supports the proposal. Bp Konderla supports document because people have simplistic understanding how canon 915 works. #USCCB21

Bp McKnight feels there is division in the conference about the proposal and the Ladaria letter. He feels the bishops have more problems when they go outside their lane. Feels there needs to be regional meetings to discuss in advance of document. #USCCB21

Bp Coerver says that at the November meeting there was a concern about the new president, which is where the political narrative started. He supports regional or provincial meetings, and thinks people need to take the time to discuss. #USCCB21

Bp Estevez feels the process should lead us forward. Says there is unanimity on the respect for life. Is confident that regional meetings and consultations can be added. #USCCB21

Bp Daly of Spokane supports the proposal. Feels the landscape has changed since 2006 document. Feels the call for dialogue is really a call to delay. Need to root unity in truth. #USCCB21
Feels it is time to clarify, speak truth in charity. Our integrity is at stake.

Bp Clark says bishops have to be conscious about how the document will be received. Are we considering if we will be heard accurately. He prefers document that focuses on the Real Presence, which many do not believe in. Remove neuralgic issue on who is worthy to believe #USCCB21

Bp Silva of Honolulu says the Eucharist is not an object but a person. We are talking about respect for life, but we are also talking about Eucharistic participation. Two different things. Bishops don't need to be the police. Endorses regional meetings. #USCCB21

Bp Hying says people are confused about president who says he is Catholic yet has radical pro-abortion agenda. He says bishops need to speak truth with love. He says he prays for leaders, hopes we can say what is loving and truthful. #USCCB21

Cardinal Tobin says unity should be center of all our actions. Inclusion of topic of Eucharistic consistency is profound challenge to this unity. Any move to exclude public officials from Eucharist move bishops into toxic political division. Holy See has raised concerns. #USCCB21

Card. Tobin says issues so serious and complex that can't be treated in fast track manner. Says he will vote no. #USCCB21

Abp Hartmayer of Atlanta says Church needs to feed the hungry. A document is needed that can be embraced by conference and lead people to a deeper belief in the power of the Eucharist. #USCCB21

Bp Rhoades thanks all the bishops, calls the dialogue very helpful. Goal of his committee is unity: Unity in truth, unity in charity. Very open to input of regional meetings. No scheduled regional meetings until November right now. Committee happy to receive this input. #USCCB21

Voting on the proposed document will now take place. A simple majority will suffice. The results of the vote will be announced tomorrow. #USCCB21