Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Orlando (Agenzia Fides) – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) begins its Spring meeting today, June 12 in Orlando (Florida). The meeting is scheduled to last until June 14. Among the items for discussion are some liturgical matters, as well as some hot-button issues such as embryonic stem-cell research and medically assisted nutrition and hydration.
The Bishops will vote on a new translation of the proper prayers for each Sunday and feast day during the liturgical year. They will also decide on several changes regarding the use of certain words in the Spanish-language liturgy, as it is recommendable for pastoral reasons that the ritual accommodate the manner of speech which has been in use for many years in Mexico, the Caribbean and South American countries and used by the majority of Hispanics in the United States.
The Bishops will then proceed to review a document rejecting a series of arguments in favor of embryonic stem-cell research that implies the destruction of embryos. The Bishops seek a pursuit of scientific research that respects every human being.
Among other topics, the Bishops will also review a proposal to declare September 26, 2010, as National Catholic Charities Sunday to mark the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Charities network. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2008)
