USCCB Tweeting – Early Today

Below are the Tweets from the Bishops Conference in San Antonio today along with my comments. I give the Bishops two thumbs up for tweeting but I’m not sure about their agenda.

usccbmedia tweet
GetToMass comments

Meeting ready to be called to order.

Bishops begin opening prayer.
Good Start

Cardinal George introduces new bishops.

Rousing applause for new bishops gathered at front of meeting space. Handshakes all around.

Cardinal George asks permission to send note of congratulations to Abp-designate DaNoia. Applause.
Back slapping to start

Cardinal George welcomes “seniores,” retired bishops present, including former USCCB prez Fiorenza, Hughes of New Orleans, Keeler, McCarrick

Prayer for deceased bishops — Laghi, Jadot, Dulles, others … Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord …
Amen

George reads letter to Holy Father to his brother bishops. Says bishops grateful for his efforts, look forward to year for priests.

Welcome special guests, media and turn to approval of the agenda …

Cardinal Mahony requests note from USCCB president on immigration be added to agenda.
Immigration is not a top priority in my opinion but I never thought Mahony had his priorities straight

Agenda approved. Tellers introduced — Knestout, Stika, Flores. Minutes from November 08 meeting approved.

National Review Board members invited to head of the room for recognition. Judge Michael Merz thanked as he steps down.

New chair Diane Knight welcomed.

New members introduced at some length by Cardinal George.

Bishop John Wester and Mr. Hector Rodriguez invited to give National Advisory Council Report.

Bishop Wester calls new Mass translation a “catechetical moment” in the United States to foster more comprehensive understanding of faith.
Yes please use it as such. Thats one thing the US needs is much better Catechesis.

NAC recommends developing resources for clergy in implementing new translation.

Economic crisis viewed as teachable moment to move from self reliance to God reliance, move to address health care, homelessness et al.

NAC recommends expanded use of new interactive technology by USCCB, including Twitter!
They did a great job of posting. Kudos to @usccbmedia

Archbishop Roberto Nieves Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to give presentation on Aparacida.

Gonzalez to walk through his prepared text.

Gonzalez making distinction between being a “disciple and missionary” and a “disciple-missionary.” Not sure I caught it all.

Something to consider: future priests will have been brought up in our new, redefined culture. What will this context mean?
This is a very good point and a very concerning point as well.

“Disciple-missionary” is the paradigm that could serve us best at this point in history.

Would help welcome newcomers from other countries, promote unity in the church, strengthen solidarity between rich and poor dioceses.

Proceedings opened to questions/observations from the floor. First Bishop Pfeifer, from San Angelo, Texas, regarding Marian influence.

Bishop Cisneros of Brooklyn reflects on work of Aparecida and possibility of blending it with USCCB priorities.

Bishop Soto of Sacramento also sees the similarities.

Bishop Murphy of Rockville Centre, NY, asks about outreach to individual dioceses by CELAM to replicate Aparecida.

Archbishop Gonzalez cites quote from Cardinal Bergoglio on vision of Aparecida. Mission as evangelization.

Bishop Ramirez of Las Cruces asks that we “not lose sight of our neighbors to the south.” Notes that our policy affects other countries.

Archbishop Gomez of San Antonio welcomes bishops. Bishop Seratelli to present liturgical items. Amendments due at 5 p.m.

Seratelli gives background on Mass in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life. Dates back to 1990 and late Cardinal O’Connor.

Will be included in U.S. version of Roman Missal under Masses for special occasions, etc.

Seratelli relays wish of Vatican worship prefect that translation be complete by end of 2010.
Promise? I think they’ve been working on this since Vatican II

Translation problems: extended subordinations and treatment of clauses as sentences.
English Majors love this stuff.

Bishop Trautman has liturgical timetable question.
Yes I think Trautman would like it to be complete when eternity rolls around.

Bishops given 812 pages to review over Holy Week and Confirmation time. Only five bishops have submitted amendments.
So maybe its almost complete, when the paper work out weighs the project its time to get started.

Trautman calls for more care in what will be a lasting missal.
He has a point

George asks for this point to be raised later.
Translate “Sit Down Brother Trautman”

Seratelli says Rome would like texts by March.
March 2005

Bishop Perry asked if texts are reconcilable with music? Adaptations are in the works, says Seratelli.
Now the artsy Bishops get to weigh in.

DiNardo asks about sentence structure, ICEL and music.
They don’t match? Really? Maybe we should just scrap it and go back to Latin

Bishop Bruskewitz raises question about artwork accompanying new missal. Cites childish stick figures in current editions.
This is one of my favorite tweets of the day. 3 Cheers for Bishop Bruskewitz

Bishop Finn asked about absent antiphons, which Seratelli says are being prepared by Holy See.
Translate “We don’t want you American guys screwing this up”

Coffee break called till 3:30. Meeting room begins to clear. Cue muzak.
Coffee break? Maybe with some Kahlua

Reflection on last session: Abp. Hughes offered clarification when Seratelli was momentarily at a loss. Classy move by a nice guy.

Cardinal George asks that bishops take seats to continue liturgical action items presentation by Seratelli.

Votive Masses and Masses for the Dead – Seratelli notes changes made by ICEL. No questions or clarifications.

Ritual Masses – 55 comments made in 2007, ICEL provided greybook in 2008, accepted numerous modifications.
When does the laity get to see this stuff?

Cardinal George notes that liturgical amendments due by 5 p.m. Seratelli concludes.

Bishop Kicanas, USCCB VP, takes floor to discuss priorities and plans of Conference.
Discuss Priorities – Remember This

Says bishops are at important juncture in implementing plans to “Deepen faith, nurture hope, celebrate life.”

USCCB five priorities: strengthen marriage, respect human life and dignity, promote vocations, deepen faith formation, cultural diversity
Pretty good but what is meant by cultural diversity. I think Catechesis should be on there as its been lacking for the past 4 decades.

Now in committee, pastoral plan will come before full body of bishops in November.

Kicanas to review four of the five priorities and what USCCB hopes to achieve by 2011.

To live and celebrate cultural diversity of church: hope is we’ll provide guidelines and training models in diversity for pastoral leaders.
Is this the Catholic Affirmative Action?

Encourage broad participation of cultural and racial groups in church participation.

Strengthen cultural diversity appreciation in priestly formation.

2nd priority. Deepen faith and strengthen sacramental practice.
So Cultural Diversity is #1?

Hopefully bishops will identify resources to outreach to active and inactive Catholics.
May Confessionals at the Mall

Identify best practice in prep for baptism, marriage and catechesis for young adults.

Create resources for dioceses for coming of Roman Missal.

Launch nationwide Mass attendance campaign.
Maybe during late night TV on Friday & Saturday nights. Heck use FaceBook

Next priority: life and dignity of human person – make comprehensive framework on church’s life teachings.
So Life is #3? Well as long as its on the list.

Identify effective communications strategies: we know what we teach. How can we teach it more effectively?
Teach it by using the Homily quit beating around the bush and stop worrying about offending people with the truth.

Mobilize all Catholics for human life and dignity.
Have a multiple Marches for Life around the country in each Diocese.

Next priority: vocations — need comprehensive interactive Web site.
Thats a start, but more is needed.

Need to develop sense of shared responsibility on this issue.
Teach people how to discern their vocation

Foster vocation culture in home. Parents must see value of vocations and support their children.
And they must know how to develop the knowledge of their child’s vocation.

Archbishops Kurtz and Schwietz to discuss priority on strengthening marriage.

Kurtz: Priority on marriage different b/c bishops approved this initiative in 2004, well before the other priorities.
So do something with it.

Kurtz: five directions have been developed.

1. series of backgrounders on issues related to marriage 2. PSAs on what have you done for your marriage?
They need better marketing

3. foryourmarriage.org

4. developed national research project on typical Catholic’s understanding on marriage
And this understanding is quite poor. Better Catechesis please

5. focus groups and dialogues
You have the truth, use it.

Kurtz to outline what he hopes happens in next few years.

Phase two of PSA campaign, focused on importance of children in marriage.

Positive, inspiring message could counter growing disconnect in society between children and marriage.
I doubt it, you need more than a PSA.

Need to develop resources in Spanish that are not merely translations.

Hope to do series of articles on “Living Your Catholic Marrige” for popular consumption.
Do YouTube Videos, use the current technology, who does PSA’s anymore?

Issues: getting married, problems of cohabitation, annulments, etc. to be available in print and multimedia.

Want to work closely w/dioceses to create framework for marriage prep.

Work w/diocesan leader to identify marriage-building parishes.

Want to address grave threat posed by attempts to redefine marriage.
Ya think?

Question raised as to whether bishops are biting off more than is doable. Kicanas says delaying would be worse.
Probably

Bishop Sheehan asks about progress of marriage priority. Kurtz is giving detailed and technical answer.

Goal: final vote this November.

Abp Gomez says he’s pleased to see cultural diversity at forefront of USCCB ministry.
If Catholicism isn’t diverse already I don’t know what is. I think this is a waste of time.

Cites concern over the sheer scope of the workload of implementing priorities, in terms of staff and budget. Asks for suggestions.

Kicanas says budgeting et al will have to reflect needed realignment of budget and staff.

Kurtz says priorities will have to be prioritized.
Wait I thought they were prioritized 1 thru 5. Remember from above.

Bishop Sheridan asks about term “Catholic marriage,” b/c not all Catholics marry other Catholics.
Please

Kurtz says point is well taken, that there’s certainly room for refinement in the process.
Translate “Sit Down Please”

Bishop Conlon says priorities sound like a lot to be coordinated. Hopes mechanisms are in place for project coordination.
Of course they aren’t

Kicanas says hope of restructuring was to get committees to cooperate and address common goals.
Oh yes form another committee

Cardinal Keeler wants to underline ecumenical/interreligious aspects of priorities. Cites pope’s Holy Land visit.

Says defense of marriage is ecumenical in nature. Says alliance against pornography another example.

Asks that ecumenical dimension not be forgotten.
They can join us but lets not waste our time pandering to the ecumenical aspect of these “priorities”

Bishop Estevez wonders how immigration reform will fit into priorities.
It won’t. Immigration is a 2007 & 2008 topic That ship has sailed

Kicanas says cultural diversity and committees already in place will continue to do necessary lobbying.
Who are they lobbying?

Abp. Naumann expresses concern over strain on resources to implement priorities.

Kurtz gives update on defense of marriage.

Says work of committee is a “yes” to truth and beauty of marriage.

Says this is a received truth, not something that can be arbitrarily changed.
Oh you can change anything in the secular culture. Blue is Red and Red is Purple didn’t you know?

Says marriage is inherently linked to sexual difference, marriage as possibility.

Says legalizing same-sex marriage compromises religious liberty.
Better do a better job Catechizing then because you just lost about 2 or 3 generations.

Says focus of this effort should be coordinated at state Catholic Conference level, where most action on this issue occurs.

Kurtz gives snapshot of what’s going on with this issue nationwide.

30 states passed marriage protection amendments.

40 states enacted marriage protection statutes.

Six states recognize same-sex marriage.
And they get all the press

Maine is in need of immediate attention.

Bills allowing “everything but marriage” passed in Nevada and elsewhere.
Yep

Notes that Connecticut and Vermont had similar bills before going for all-out gay marriage.
Its the 90/10 approach to politics, get 90% now and the remaining 10% later

Bishop Wenski recalls USCCB support for federal marriage amendment. Asks if it is dead issue.

Kurtz says it is not passable on federal level, that movement has shifted to state level.
It was about 5 years ago, you failed to act then.

Bishop Baker asks about demographics, why bishops are aiming at 18-29 year olds in catechizing on marriage.

Kurtz says message bishops develop could reach other age groups as well. Baker wants it to be accessible to high schoolers.
Okay so 15 to 29 is that better. You have control of your diocese go ahead and expand the group.
Bishop Cordileone asks about homily resources b/c many priests are hesitant to preach on this.

Kurtz says materials will reach out to priests. Talking points will be developed.
Develop some on Abortion & Contraception too because they don’t preach on those items either.

Bishop (didn’t catch name) advocates reaching out to an older demographic as well, also raises issue of gender complementarity.
oh brother…

Question of same-sex couples raising children raised by Bishop Paprocki.
Yep they are going to think the Catholic Church is bigoted, You didn’t fight Same-Sex marriage hard enough in the early rounds.

Abp. Sheehan cites uniting with Evangelicals, Baptists and Mormons as a successful strategy to combat this.
Cumbye-Ya Cumbye-Ya

“This” being same-sex marriage legislation.

Abp Lipscomb asks that target audience for catechesis include deacons b/c most are married.

Kurtz thanks brother bishops for support and feedback, want to be bold but grounded in pastoral charity and care for all.

Commitment is to marriage and to treat each individual with dignity.

Cardinal George thanks the bishops and offers birthday greetings to Bishop Callahan, administrator of Milwaukee.

George offers best wishes for bishops recovering from surgery, and then a few Hail Marys. Meeting adjourned for today.

Next up: press conference.

Walked from media center to press conference room w/o losing wireless signal. I’m impressed.

On deck for press conference: Niederauer, Kicanas, Kurtz, Seratelli.

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh welcomes media and panel. Kicanas running late.

First question on traditional marriage and tax exempt status – why in jeopardy? Follow-up, stats on Catholic marriage, annulments, etc.

Kurtz says tax exempt is not immediate issue, more about long-term hypothetical threats to religious freedom.

Niederauer cites NY Times piece addressing question of protecting churches and issue it raises.
Way to use the enemy, I hope he reads more than just the NYTs

Kurtz says bishops supported 2004 marriage initiative b/c of high rates of divorce and cohabitation, as well as less use of the sacrament.

Second question, to Seratelli – new Mass texts and catechetical concerns at getting the message out.

Seratelli – catechesis in the works. Cites resources on USCCB Web site. Reiterates that it’s an important moment, introducing these texts.

Texts are “very well suited for passing on the faith.”
Well duh

Kicanas points out how this fits into priority of faith formation and sacramental practice.

Niederauer says the challenge is keeping living languages true to Latin texts. Also notes our working w/ many English speakers worldwide.

Issue: Do you want it right, or do you want it Thursday? Bishops are opting for getting it right.
This sorry old line, stop delaying it and get it done right.

Kurtz says instruction in parishes will improve people’s experience of worship.
Yeah so I don’t leave town and fell like I walked into a Protestant Church because I’m in another Diocese

Pat Zapor from CNS: What about Trautman’s point about 812 pages and delaying?
Trautman has fans in the press. Are you sure this guy isn’t from NCR?

Seratelli reiterates that there was more than enough time to review it, in fact, more time than in the past.
GetterDone

That’s a wrap for today. See you in the morning: http://tinyurl.com/mgl438