U.S. Bishops to Vote for Conference Secretary and for Chairmen of Six Standing Committees at Plenary Assembly in Baltimore

United States bishops will vote for a new conference secretary and chairmen for six standing committees during their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore from November 16 to 19. The secretary vote follows the election of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend to complete the term vacated by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley after his election as conference president.

Nominees for the positions include Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of Columbus and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend for secretary and the Committee on Priorities and Plans. For the Committee on Catholic Education, Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln and auxiliary bishop Edmund J. Whalen of New York are nominated. The Committee on Communications nominees are Bishop Daniel J. Felton of Duluth and Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria.

For the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, Bishop Steven J. Maekawa of Fairbanks and Bishop Michael M. Pham of San Diego are candidates. The Committee on Doctrine nominees are Bishop William M. Joensen of Des Moines and Bishop Steven M. Lopes of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Each elected chairman will serve one year as chairman-elect before starting a three-year term after the 2027 Fall Plenary Assembly.