The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has canceled its Spring General Assembly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The assembly, one of the two annual gatherings of the bishops of the United States, was scheduled to be held June 10-12 in Detroit, Michigan. The meeting would have been the first to be led by newly-elected USCCB President Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles.
In a statement released by the USCCB, Gomez said that the decision to cancel the event happened after a vote by the Administrative Committee.
“Even if the numerous temporary restrictions on public gatherings resulting from conditions associated with COVID-19 are lessened by June, the priority for the physical and pastoral presence of the bishop in his See will be acute to tend to the faithful,” he added.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
I think the last sentence expresses the correct priorities. As I recall, the confrences have the Bishops sitting very close together. Also, aren’t most Bishops over age 50?
Good call ABP Gomez.
Mike , my take on it is it would be too expensive now , the coffers have been hit and his “assessments ” or as I call it the mahoney tax on the parishes have hurt him and the others that would have participated in this waste of time and insult to the faithful. The lack of leadership from these shepherds is telling , once things reopen they will find the financial problems are worse then thought , the lawsuits from the lifting of the statue of limitations will go forward and that with the other pressures will force sales, closings of parishes and possible bankruptcy. His lack of leadership and reassuring of the faithful , of even trying to arrange some reception of the sacraments or spiritual comfort speaks to his priorities, Bishop Strickland and some others have been exceptions in this crisis.Pray God this ends the LA REC and other of his pet sjw causes, perhaps rebuilding the faith ?.
one less bureaucratic time-waster
Well… if we have to suffer with “video” Mass for our own good, surely the same can be done for ALL USCCB meetings going forward? One time investment for good video conferencing hardware will save a great deal of money. No need for expensive hotels, meals etc.
Good news ! Let them stay home and be in the presence of God.