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Highlights of 2009 USCCB fall general assembly

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien

Catholic News Service

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- At the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' fall general assembly in Baltimore Nov. 16-18, the bishops:

-- Heard Bishop Roger P. Morin of Biloxi, Miss., dismiss as "outrageous" claims that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development was funding groups that opposed church teaching.

-- Overwhelmingly approved, 219-4, revised directives for the withdrawal of medically assisted food and water in Catholic health facilities.

-- Made their own a statement by the USCCB president pledging continued efforts to keep abortion out of health reform legislation.

-- Approved a heavily amended pastoral letter on marriage, 180-45.

-- Gave their OK to English translations and U.S. adaptations of the final five sections of the Roman Missal, which now go to the Vatican.

-- Heard a preliminary report on the causes and context of clergy sexual abuse of children.

-- Approved, 220-4, a document criticizing reproductive technologies that do not respect the marital bond or the dignity of the child.

-- Heard a report on the work of Catholic Relief Services and a plea for greater financial support.

-- Agreed to a $144.5 million budget for 2010 and a 3 percent increase in the diocesan assessment for 2011.

-- Approved a priority plan and a more than 330-page operational strategy for the work of the USCCB over the next two years.

-- Were updated on a recent survey on religious vocations, which found that new applicants are older, more educated and drawn to more traditional communities.

-- Heard Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago envision the challenges of a world without priests in his address as USCCB president.

-- Selected five new chairmen-elect for USCCB committees and board members for CRS and CLINIC.

-- Viewed the first of several planned videos aimed at protecting and promoting marriage.

-- Spent most of their final day in executive session, followed by a day of prayer and reflection Nov. 19.

-- Heard a report from Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory on the Synod of Bishops for Africa last month at the Vatican.