The clergy sexual abuse crisis continued to command a large amount of attention and action from the U.S. bishops throughout 2019.
Bishops take new actions to hold themselves accountable for abuse in 2019
Archbishop Gomez elected USCCB president; first Latino in post
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles was elected to a three-year term as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during the bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.
In final presidential address, Cardinal DiNardo urges new beginning
In his final address as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston told his fellow bishops that it has been “an honor to serve you, even in the difficult times.”
Bishops to vote on revised strategic priorities for the early 2020s
When they meet Nov. 11-13 in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops are expected to vote on a revised set of strategic priorities to take them into the next decade.
USCCB president disinvites Bishop Bransfield from fall assembly
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has taken the highly unusual step of disinviting a fellow bishop from the conference’s fall general assembly.
Washington state bishops call for ‘comprehensive immigration reform’
Washington’s bishops have issued a call for “comprehensive immigration reform that honors the dignity of those seeking a better life in the United States, while also addressing the legitimate need for safe and secure borders.”
USCCB leaders decry policies they say led to child deaths at border
Leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an op-ed cast blame on government policies for recent child deaths near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Lay groups cautious about bishops’ actions to boost accountability
Representatives of lay organizations expressed caution over the steps taken by U.S. bishops to boost accountability and transparency in dealing with clergy sexual abuse.