(OSV News) — Ahead of the US Bishops’ Conference in June, pastoral experts tell OSV News they hope to see progress on issues affecting health care, Hispanic Catholics and people with disabilities. rice field.
The United States Catholic Bishops Conference (USCCB) will hold its Spring General Assembly June 14-16 in Orlando, Florida. Archbishop Timothy P. Brolio of the US Military Archdiocese will address the bishops and oversee the proceedings as president of the USCCB. The US papal minister, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, will also address the bishops. Public sessions on June 15th and 16th will be streamed live on the USCCB website (www.usccb.org).
In prayer and dialogue sessions, the bishops will explore a number of topics, including the ongoing bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Easter and preparations for two major events. Its culminating event is the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Celebration of Reconstruction and World Youth Day with Pope Francis in Lisbon, Portugal from 1-6 August.
Although the agenda for the plenary session has not yet been finalized, the bishops will also discuss ongoing priesthood plans, the priorities of the USCCB’s 2025-2028 strategic plan, the translation of the texts of the Liturgical Liturgy, and canonization. is expected to provide consultation on The cause of the activity of his five priests, the “Shreveport Martyrs”, who heroically served victims of the yellow fever epidemic in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1873.
In addition, bishops may also discuss revisions to parts of the Ethical and Religious Directive (ERD) for Catholic Medical Services, particularly Part 3, which deals with the relationship between health professionals and patients.
Dr. Timothy Millea, a former spine surgeon and chairman of the Catholic Medical Association’s Health Policy Committee, told OSV News that the topic was “important and timely.”
“The clinician-patient relationship is increasingly under attack on so many levels,” says Millea.
The right of conscience of Catholic medical professionals is of particular concern, he said, especially when clinicians are asked to perform procedures contrary to their religious beliefs.
Millea said ERD would benefit from “(expanding) discussions about respect for conscience and religious beliefs” by both clinicians and patients.
“We can accept what they want that we cannot do. They … should not expect us to do it. They should not be threatened or punished,” Milea said.
Charlene Catla, executive director of the National Catholic Disability Partnership in Washington, told OSV News that she will attend a meeting in June to discuss a new pastoral statement for people with disabilities in church life. I said yes.
Since the bishops’ first such statement in 1978, there has been “increased diagnoses of autism and mental illness” and “a broader understanding of the multifaceted nature of disability and (related) needs.” ” said Catra.
The language of disability has also changed over the past 40 years to focus on the person “before diagnosis or description” and to provide “more respectful and accurate communication that respects the person’s dignity”. she said she did.
Katra said the updated statement should emphasize “the talent and mission of persons with disabilities in the church and the blessings that faith communities have received from their active involvement.”
Catra says that focusing on “spiritual themes of hope and joy” in pastoral work for the disabled can help “removal of prejudice” and “compassionate attitudes”. said.
The June agenda will also likely include a discussion of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino pastoral ministry developed from the 5th Hispanic Ministry National Pastoral Plan in September 2018. , “a major exercise in consultation in the spirit of synods,” said Associate Professor Hosfmann Ospino. Professor and Dean of Religious Education and Pastoral Affairs in the School of Theology and Missions, Boston University.
Nearly 36 years after the first such document was presented by bishops in 1987, the plan aims to “conduct pastoral work in the context of Catholic Hispanic mission identified by pastoral leaders and researchers for the past several decades. The focus will likely be on the area of ”,” Ospino told OSV News of the study.
During this time, the number of Hispanic Catholics increased dramatically, accelerating the need to prioritize “accompaniment of young Hispanic Catholics, support of Hispanic families, and formation of Hispanic pastoral leaders.” he said.
Gina Christian is the national reporter for OSV News. Follow @GinaJesseReina on Twitter.
