A double header, a quiet cardinal, and the only way to fly
Next week marks the USCCB Fall Plenary Assembly. No one can confidently predict the tone of this year’s session—it could move in several directions. The bishops will meet for the first time under the Leonine pontificate, during which the first American pope has clearly shown his preference for calm and unity over public disputes.
Despite broad agreement on key doctrinal issues, differences persist regarding how best to engage with public authorities. Recently, a notable discussion emerged after Senator Dick Durbin declined an honor from the Archdiocese of Chicago recognizing his pro-immigrant work.
At the same time, Cardinal Blase Cupich appeared to diverge from USCCB guidelines concerning the honoring of public figures who oppose core moral teachings of the Church. This has sparked renewed debate within the conference about the boundaries of individual judgment versus collective consensus.
“The open dissent from the conference’s collective agreement on a key public issue poses a question which, I think, will have to be addressed, one way or another.”
The upcoming assembly is expected to shed light on whether these questions can be resolved in a spirit of unity or if they will continue to test the conference’s cohesion.
Author’s Summary
The USCCB’s coming assembly will reveal whether internal debates on moral and public engagement can be reconciled under the new pontificate’s emphasis on unity and restraint.