Good morning! Welcome to Day 2 of the public session of #USCCB21. I'm JD, and I'll be your live-tweeter this morning.
The bishops are now praying morning prayer. I have had three cups of coffee, some scrambled eggs and bacon, and a bowl of fruit. Which is to say that I am ready for a great day here in Baltimore. Hope you are too.
And please allow me to offer a warm welcome to those bishops who follow these live-tweets FROM the meeting. Some of you have been kind enough to mention this to me, and I am grateful.
On the schedule today, bishops will debate and vote upon the action items proposed yesterday, including THE Eucharistic document.
If you want t a rundown of what happened yesterday, read all about it here:
pillarcatholic.com/p/heres-what-h…
If you want t a rundown of what happened yesterday, read all about it here:
pillarcatholic.com/p/heres-what-h…
And as ever, if you like this live-tweeting, consider becoming a subscriber to The Pillar:
pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Bishops now conducting a test vote with their voting pads-- do they want to have ice cream at the coffee break this afternoon.
+Gomez: That's a good question.
The ice creams have it.
The ice creams have it.
First the bishops will vote upon the approval the 2022 USCCB proposed budget.
+Malloy: For second consecutive year, we are not recommending an increase in diocesan assessment. Aggregate assessment is $12.5m+, but amounts for individual dioceses will change.
+Malloy: For second consecutive year, we are not recommending an increase in diocesan assessment. Aggregate assessment is $12.5m+, but amounts for individual dioceses will change.
+Malloy:
We have reason to be optimistic that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. But we're being cautious, and exercising conservative revenue projections.
#USCCB12
We have reason to be optimistic that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. But we're being cautious, and exercising conservative revenue projections.
#USCCB12
+Malloy:
Consolidated budgets distinguish between unrestricted funds, USCCB general fund: $21.8m, with a 2% expected surplus.
Restricted funds: no surplus or deficit, revenues and expenses are equal.
#USCCB21
Consolidated budgets distinguish between unrestricted funds, USCCB general fund: $21.8m, with a 2% expected surplus.
Restricted funds: no surplus or deficit, revenues and expenses are equal.
#USCCB21
+Coyne:
I notice we have a significant increase in investment returns. Can you say what the budget outcome was last year in terms of surplus from investment returns, and savings from canceled travel and events?
#USCCB21
I notice we have a significant increase in investment returns. Can you say what the budget outcome was last year in terms of surplus from investment returns, and savings from canceled travel and events?
#USCCB21
Joyce Jones, USCCB CFO:
As of now, we are under budget for '21, as of Sept 30.
As of now, we are under budget for '21, as of Sept 30.
Bishops will now vote to approve the 2022 USCCB budget.
The bishops get 30 seconds to case their ballots on this stuff.
Buget passes:
223-4, 5 abstains.
223-4, 5 abstains.
Bishops will now debate their socially responsible investment guidelines.
First, +Malloy moves that a raft of amendments be accepted by a consent vote.
#USCCB21
First, +Malloy moves that a raft of amendments be accepted by a consent vote.
#USCCB21
+McElroy stands to ask that language from the Holy See be utilized to provide guidance on fossil fuel divestiture.
But Gomez moves to pass the amendments by consent agenda first, and McElroy sits down, since his intervention was not procedurally in order.
But Gomez moves to pass the amendments by consent agenda first, and McElroy sits down, since his intervention was not procedurally in order.
Bishops now asked to reject a raft of amendments by a consent vote. These were submitted to committee but committee recommends rejection. Bishops CAN ask for any to be considered individually.
No bishops rise to request separate consideration. The amendments are rejected.
So NOW, with the amendments out of the way, bishops are asked to vote on updated socially responsible investment guidelines.
open for discussion.
open for discussion.
+McElroy: (now it's the right time for his comment):
I am grateful that committee is wrestling with the difficult question of fossil fuel investment.
I would ask that we have an ongoing evaluation of our investment guidelines with regard to fossil fuels.
I am grateful that committee is wrestling with the difficult question of fossil fuel investment.
I would ask that we have an ongoing evaluation of our investment guidelines with regard to fossil fuels.
Here’s what he’s talking about.
+McElroy: We will eventually need an absolute prohibition on fossil fuels, because the world will need an eventual prohibition on fossil fuels. We have absolute prohibitions on investing in marijuana, gambling, abortion, etc. And fossil fuels are a serious and pressing issue.
+Malloy:
Yes, the committee is an ongoing evaluative process. And we discuss this issue from very different viewpoints.
#USCCB21.
Yes, the committee is an ongoing evaluative process. And we discuss this issue from very different viewpoints.
#USCCB21.
+Strickland:
I support an ongoing review of our investment guidelines. In our diocese, our investment advisors have looked at an even more rigorous screening for Catholic moral issues. They were surprised that our investments were ahead of the game.
I support an ongoing review of our investment guidelines. In our diocese, our investment advisors have looked at an even more rigorous screening for Catholic moral issues. They were surprised that our investments were ahead of the game.
+Strickland:
In Tyler, we very strictly screen for Catholic moral issues, and at the same time our investment are ahead of major indexes. So I just want to encourage us to keep screening.
In Tyler, we very strictly screen for Catholic moral issues, and at the same time our investment are ahead of major indexes. So I just want to encourage us to keep screening.
Bishops to vote on socially responsible investment guidelines now.
THe socially responsible investment guidelines pass.
(I'm livestreaming at my desk in the press gallery to get screen shots on the votes)
Bishops need to have another vote, as a technical matter. The first vote was whether to update the guideliness-- the vote that put the process they just did into motion. They forgot to do it before.
So NOW they vote on whether to pass the guidelines.
So NOW they vote on whether to pass the guidelines.
And NOW, the guidelines pass.
Now Bishop Vann Johnston and the office of Child and Youth Protection will make a presentation on updating the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
+Johnston:
There was a planned review of the Charter schedule for 2025, but given the new canonical penal law, and other "circumstances," we advise an advance of the review timeline.
There was a planned review of the Charter schedule for 2025, but given the new canonical penal law, and other "circumstances," we advise an advance of the review timeline.
+Johnston:
Why:
1. New Book VI of the Code of Canon Law and Vos Estis lux mundi promulgated, and other Vatican resources.
2. Learnings from the McCarrick, other current events in the life of the Church, and "societal events that present challenges for safe environments"
Why:
1. New Book VI of the Code of Canon Law and Vos Estis lux mundi promulgated, and other Vatican resources.
2. Learnings from the McCarrick, other current events in the life of the Church, and "societal events that present challenges for safe environments"
+Johnston:
If you approve this, we will start working after the June 2022 plenary meeting, with the committee, with other safe environment experts. We would consult national review board, various bishops' committees, and diocesan and eparchial input, CMSM, LCWR, and CMSWR
If you approve this, we will start working after the June 2022 plenary meeting, with the committee, with other safe environment experts. We would consult national review board, various bishops' committees, and diocesan and eparchial input, CMSM, LCWR, and CMSWR
+Johnston:
We would consult other experts as well, and potential revisions would be drawn from all that consultation.
We would consult other experts as well, and potential revisions would be drawn from all that consultation.
+DiMarzio:
I urge that we move very quickly on this. And there is one problem that we can't wait to resolve: the issue of priests taken out of ministry, "because they are considered guilty until proven innocent."
"We hve ppl who could be out of ministry for yrs with no proof."
I urge that we move very quickly on this. And there is one problem that we can't wait to resolve: the issue of priests taken out of ministry, "because they are considered guilty until proven innocent."
"We hve ppl who could be out of ministry for yrs with no proof."
+DiMarzio:
That is an urgent issue, and we shouldn't wait for two years to address it. Should be done urgently.
That is an urgent issue, and we shouldn't wait for two years to address it. Should be done urgently.
+Lucas:
I am in favor of proposed revisions. The Nebraska AG released findings of our 3 dioceses last week. It was very difficult, but we could see considerable difference in our experience in abuse and handling allegations since the Charter's implementation.
I am in favor of proposed revisions. The Nebraska AG released findings of our 3 dioceses last week. It was very difficult, but we could see considerable difference in our experience in abuse and handling allegations since the Charter's implementation.
+Lucas: I think it's important that we acknowledge the effect of the Charter, and continue to improve what we do, for the protection of young people and outreach to victims.
+O'Connell
I am on this committee. I urge that we look at 2 issues:
"vulnerable persons" - how does Charter effect that.
"we bishops" - that seems to me it should be more explicit.
I am on this committee. I urge that we look at 2 issues:
"vulnerable persons" - how does Charter effect that.
"we bishops" - that seems to me it should be more explicit.
+O'Malley:
I am in support. The Charter is very good and important, but many years have passed, and there are questions to be addressed. Particularly with regard to vulnerable adults and vulnerable persons.
I applaud and support.
#USCCB21
I am in support. The Charter is very good and important, but many years have passed, and there are questions to be addressed. Particularly with regard to vulnerable adults and vulnerable persons.
I applaud and support.
#USCCB21
Now calling the question: Do the bishops authorize the committee on child protection to begin a revision of the Charter sooner than June 2025.
The ayes have it.
bishops applaud.
230-5-0
bishops applaud.
230-5-0
Now committee on canonical affairs and church governance.
+Listecki presents national statutes for the catechumentate for debate and vote:
The journeys of catechumens inspire us.
+Listecki presents national statutes for the catechumentate for debate and vote:
The journeys of catechumens inspire us.
+Listecki moves for approval of raft of consent agenda amendments, recommended by the committee. All adopted.
+Listecki moves for rejection of raft of amendments, rejected by the committee. All rejected. (Listecki actually called for the approval, but was mistake.)
+Listecki moves for rejection of raft of amendments, rejected by the committee. All rejected. (Listecki actually called for the approval, but was mistake.)
+Listecki:
Thanks everyone. Now I move for the approval of revised national statutes of the catechumenate.
Gomez opens floor for discussion. There is none.
Question called.
#USCCB21
Thanks everyone. Now I move for the approval of revised national statutes of the catechumenate.
Gomez opens floor for discussion. There is none.
Question called.
#USCCB21
As an aside -- I tried to get a copy of the draft national statutes for the catechumenate, but the conference said they could not distribute a draft. c'est la vie.
Bishops do not have 2'3 of the Latin Church members, and they didn't get it:
There were 149 ayes, 1 no.
The bishops are murmuring, and there's talk that this was a technical glitch.
There were 149 ayes, 1 no.
The bishops are murmuring, and there's talk that this was a technical glitch.
Some bishop just stood up to say that he didn't think his voting pad worked. They're checking with the technicians. Bishops laughing and murmuring.
THE VOTING MACHINES!!!! AHHH!!!!
THE VOTING MACHINES!!!! AHHH!!!!
So we're checking.
+Cordileone: My voting tab is kinda frozen on the "received" screen.
Someone else: Mine too.
+Cordileone: My voting tab is kinda frozen on the "received" screen.
Someone else: Mine too.
There are many voting machine jokes to be made, about Arizona and the like, but that's a landmine I try never to stop upon.
Bishops will vote again.
And go.
And go.
This time, the ayes have it:
221-1.
The statutes pass.
221-1.
The statutes pass.
+Listecki:
i'd like to recognize Fr. John Foster, a priest of the Diocese of Stockton, whose expertise and passion for the catechumenate was very helpful.
Bishops clap.
i'd like to recognize Fr. John Foster, a priest of the Diocese of Stockton, whose expertise and passion for the catechumenate was very helpful.
Bishops clap.
+Listecki:
Bishops will now vote on a Spanish translation on the revised national statutes for the catechumenate. Bishops will have to change this doc according to English do, so by consent agenda, the amendments to that doc need to be approved again.
Bishops will now vote on a Spanish translation on the revised national statutes for the catechumenate. Bishops will have to change this doc according to English do, so by consent agenda, the amendments to that doc need to be approved again.
This is a formality, whereby, they have to accept and reject the proposed changes they just accepted and rejected in English for the Spanish doc.
With that done, now we're voting on the Spanish translation of the English doc.
With that done, now we're voting on the Spanish translation of the English doc.
The Spanish translation passes, 224-0.
+Listecki:
I would like to thank Carmen Fernandez, retired from the USCCB, who came out of retirement to assist us with this document. Thank you.
+Listecki:
I would like to thank Carmen Fernandez, retired from the USCCB, who came out of retirement to assist us with this document. Thank you.
+Listecki:
Now we will debate and vote upon the renewal of the USCCB's resolution on diocesan financial reporting.
It has to be renewed every five years.
What is it, you ask:
Now we will debate and vote upon the renewal of the USCCB's resolution on diocesan financial reporting.
It has to be renewed every five years.
What is it, you ask:
There are no proposed amendments, so bishops will now debate and vote to approve the Resolution on Diocesan Financial Reporting, through Nov 2026 (when they will vote upon it again)
+Tyson:
Thanks for working on this.
Why is audited bracketed here? Does every diocese have their financial statements audited every year. Does that mean audited by GAAP standards every year?
Thanks for working on this.
Why is audited bracketed here? Does every diocese have their financial statements audited every year. Does that mean audited by GAAP standards every year?
+Listecki:
What the brackets mean is that if the diocese has had an audit, it should be given to the finance council, and turned over to the senior suffragan.
But if the diocese doesn't do an official audit, whatever audit device is used should be turned over.
What the brackets mean is that if the diocese has had an audit, it should be given to the finance council, and turned over to the senior suffragan.
But if the diocese doesn't do an official audit, whatever audit device is used should be turned over.
+Tyson:
Thanks. What you're saying is good. But it's not what the document says. So you might want to consider revising it or offering an explanation.
+Listecki:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Thanks. What you're saying is good. But it's not what the document says. So you might want to consider revising it or offering an explanation.
+Listecki:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Bishops will now vote on the Resolution on Diocesan Financial Reporting.
The ayes have it:
233-0-1 abstain.
233-0-1 abstain.
+Listecki:
Ok, now we are going to have consultations on the prospective canonization of some prospective saints. Bishops are consulted about "opportuneness of proceeding with the cause at this time." We are not asked to approve the cause, but consider whether it is opportune.
Ok, now we are going to have consultations on the prospective canonization of some prospective saints. Bishops are consulted about "opportuneness of proceeding with the cause at this time." We are not asked to approve the cause, but consider whether it is opportune.
+Listecki:
Three local causes will be consulted: Two from Lafayette in Louisiana.
Here are the Louisiana ones:
pillarcatholic.com/p/nonco-and-ch…
Three local causes will be consulted: Two from Lafayette in Louisiana.
Here are the Louisiana ones:
pillarcatholic.com/p/nonco-and-ch…
You can read about Brother Joseph Dutton of Hawaii here:
pillarcatholic.com/p/bishops-demo…
pillarcatholic.com/p/bishops-demo…
+Deshotel of Lafayette:
I bring you the cause of Charlene Richard.
We see in her life what the Father has revealed to the childlike and hidden from the wise.
I bring you the cause of Charlene Richard.
We see in her life what the Father has revealed to the childlike and hidden from the wise.
+Deshotel:
She was a typical child reared in our Catholic Cajun country, in which faith and family are at the center.
At 12 she was diagnosed with ALL and lived two weeks. "The two weeks are gifts of grace."
She offered her sufferings for the conversion and healing of others.
She was a typical child reared in our Catholic Cajun country, in which faith and family are at the center.
At 12 she was diagnosed with ALL and lived two weeks. "The two weeks are gifts of grace."
She offered her sufferings for the conversion and healing of others.
+Deshotel:
There are documented cases of her efficacious intercession. Lots of pilgrims come to her every year. She is known as "The Cajun Saint."
She is an example "of patient, redemptive suffering in imitation of our crucified Lord."
There are documented cases of her efficacious intercession. Lots of pilgrims come to her every year. She is known as "The Cajun Saint."
She is an example "of patient, redemptive suffering in imitation of our crucified Lord."
Bishops applaud for Charlene Marie Richard.
+Gomez:
Thanks. Glad you liked this, but let's give a voice vote after I read the resolution.
+Gomez:
Thanks. Glad you liked this, but let's give a voice vote after I read the resolution.
Bishops say aye loudly to support cause, and now they applaud.
+Deshotel:
Auguste ‘Nonco’ Pelafigue was an unmarried man "who by his profound simplicity of life and apostolic zeal spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus."
#USCCB21
Auguste ‘Nonco’ Pelafigue was an unmarried man "who by his profound simplicity of life and apostolic zeal spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus."
#USCCB21
+Deshotel:
Nonco, which means Uncle, spread devotion to the Sacred Heart through the Apostleship of Prayer.
Nonco, which means Uncle, spread devotion to the Sacred Heart through the Apostleship of Prayer.
+Deshotel:
Nonco was known for his devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Blessed Mother. He was a daily communicant and a catechist for children, as well as a public school teacher. He organized the "League of the Sacred Heart" with 1200 members to distribute leaflets.
Nonco was known for his devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Blessed Mother. He was a daily communicant and a catechist for children, as well as a public school teacher. He organized the "League of the Sacred Heart" with 1200 members to distribute leaflets.
+Deshotel:
He visited sick and neighbors on foot, walking as a penance.
"he lived a radical life of simplicity. Living in a shed with only one light buld...heroic personal sacrifice as a measure of charity."
He visited sick and neighbors on foot, walking as a penance.
"he lived a radical life of simplicity. Living in a shed with only one light buld...heroic personal sacrifice as a measure of charity."
Bishops asked to vote on whether it is opportune to advance the cause of canonization of Auguste ‘Nonco’ Pelafigue.
Bishops respond by voice vote Aye, and then applaud.
Bishops respond by voice vote Aye, and then applaud.
Now +Silva of Honolulu with present Servant of God Joseph Dutton:
+Silva:
He was in the Civil War, had what we might call today PTSD, lived what he called a "dissolute life," and then had a conversion at 40, becoming a Catholic.
He lived at Gethsemani, and then went to Hawaii to serve lepers with Fr. Damian.
He was in the Civil War, had what we might call today PTSD, lived what he called a "dissolute life," and then had a conversion at 40, becoming a Catholic.
He lived at Gethsemani, and then went to Hawaii to serve lepers with Fr. Damian.
+Silva:
He led a home for boys with leprosy, which had been founded by St. Damian of Molokai.
In this year of St. Joseph, we propose this "other Joseph," who was the foster father of hundreds.
#USCCB21
He led a home for boys with leprosy, which had been founded by St. Damian of Molokai.
In this year of St. Joseph, we propose this "other Joseph," who was the foster father of hundreds.
#USCCB21
Bishops to vote by voice vote on cause of Br. Joseph Dutton.
By voice vote, the AYES have it. Bishops applaud.
By voice vote, the AYES have it. Bishops applaud.
+Dolan of San Diego:
Rises to urge that six Servants of God who are Black, including Thea Bowman, Julia Greeley, Augustus Tolton, be ecognized, and their causes advance.
"I would encourage us to up the ante on our part....And to ask our Heavenly Father to advance their causes."
Rises to urge that six Servants of God who are Black, including Thea Bowman, Julia Greeley, Augustus Tolton, be ecognized, and their causes advance.
"I would encourage us to up the ante on our part....And to ask our Heavenly Father to advance their causes."
Now, everyone, it is time for a break. When we come back: St. Mother Teresa, ICEL translations, and THE EUCHARIST DOCUMENT.
See you soon.
See you soon.
By the way, if you read this thread, do me a favor and like some of the tweets, because it is hard for me to gauge the number of people who make use of these live-tweets, and that's helpful to know.
Ok! thanks you!
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