5 Items to Watch at the US Bishops’ Fall Meeting, by Lauretta Brown

The discussion about Eucharistic coherence will garner the most media attention, but four other issues also warrant close consideration.

By Lauretta Brown, EWTN News, November 15, 2021

Lauretta Brown is the Register’s Washington-based staff writer.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is meeting in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the bishops have many issues to discuss since their virtual June meeting where a debate erupted over the drafting of a document on the Eucharist that addressed worthiness to receive Communion.

While many in the media framed that debate as being aimed at President Joe Biden, a baptized Catholic who breaks with Church teaching on abortion but continues to receive Communion, the document is actually being issued alongside an initiative to teach U.S. Catholics about the Eucharist — in light of studies showing a pressing need for catechesis on the topic.

Other items prominently on the bishops’ agenda include elections for important roles within the conference, as well as considering the causes for sainthood and beatification of three Catholic Americans. An update will also be given on a pro-life initiative the bishops began two years ago aimed at assisting moms in need. …