OK, I’ve had it! A Postscript.

You might have gotten the impression from my last post that I’m giving up on the US Catholic Church. On the contrary. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet. Nor (I hope!) should you be. With the election of Pope Leo XIV, I believe we are at a moment of great change and opportunity for the US Church.

My frustration is with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. What is it? And what actual authority does it have?

On their website the USCCB calls itself a “membership organization” whose mission is “to support the ministry of US bishops.” In their own words, they say that they seek to “act collaboratively and consistently on vital issues confronting the Church and society,” “foster communion within the US Church,” and “offer appropriate assistance to each bishop.” Words like “seek” and “support” and “foster” and “offer” are not words of authority over others. Thus, I conclude that the USCCB itself has no actual authority over its member bishops.

So, if it has no real authority over its member bishops, what power does the USCCB have? That is where I see two problems:

First, it has influence over bishops. The USCCB can choose which issues the US Church at large promotes. That kind of promotion goes far beyond just recommending an issue for more attention. It includes funding and staff time to design programs and create materials dedicated to the issue chosen.

Second, it has the appearance of authority. To the general public, and to the secular media, the USCCB looks like it is speaking for the US Church. Insider issues – like the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist - are of much less concern to the public (or to those casual Catholics that the Church would like to see back in the pews) than other pressing issues of the day – like gun violence or ignoring the plight of the poor. I would argue that making sure Catholics are properly catechized on “the real presence” is of interest to only a few. Unfortunately, those few have most of the seats on the Executive Board of the USCCB.

What message does that send to the public, or to cultural or occasional Catholics? That promoting doctrinal purity is more important than how we act in the world?

The mysteries of the Church are important, but loving actions are the way Jesus and his early followers inspired others and grew the Faith. In my view, US bishops are showing their age and clinging to outdated roles instead of ministering to the real needs of a suffering world.

What can be done? Well, quite a lot, actually.

As you may remember, each bishop is appointed by the Pope, carefully chosen to meet the particular needs of the diocese in which he has been placed. You can read my earlier post – How Bishops Are Chosen - to learn more about this fascinating and intricate process.

Although that post was written during the time of Pope Francis, Pope Leo (formerly Robert Prevost), was the head of the Dicastery of Bishops under Pope Francis. Thus, Leo had much to do with vetting and recommending candidates for bishop from which Francis ultimately made his selections. Bishops who were true shepherds, who saw their role as servant-leaders.

There are currently 196 dioceses and archdioceses in the US Catholic Church, all of which are headed by bishops who are members of the USCCB. Because of the length of his papacy, by the time he had passed Pope Francis had appointed over half of current US bishops. And many of the remaining bishops appointed by John Paul II (1978 - 2005) and Benedict XVI (2005 – 2013) are close to retirement. (As you may remember, bishops must offer their resignations to the pope at the age of 75.) Add to that a handful of dioceses that currently have openings because of illness, death or resignations, and there is a chance for real change at the USCCB.

Pope Leo has made a good start by appointing Fr. Michael Pham, 58, the incoming bishop of San Diego. Leo is promoting Pham from within the ranks of local priests, choosing him over older and more established (more conservative?) prelates. And I think he has made a good choice.

Fr. Pham was born in Vietnam. His family fled that country in 1980 and spent time in a refugee camp in Malaysia before being sponsored by an American family in Minnesota. He knows what it is to be victimized and excluded. (And he knows how much the kindness and support of an American family can mean!)

Even though Pham hasn’t been officially installed in his new position, he is already having an impact. He and other religious leaders from San Diego have been volunteering their time at the immigration court, accompanying people that have been rounded up by ICE and slated for deportation. By his presence, he shows the Church’s compassion for the vulnerable, and its concern for justice. You can read about him in this article: San Diego faith leaders say their presence made a difference at deportation hearings.

By the way – did you know that June 20^th was World Refugee Day? Did you hear any mention of this in your parish that weekend? Most didn’t. It would have been an opportunity to connect the plight of refugees around the world to the Catholic principle of defending the life and dignity of all people. But no. So frustrating!

Anyhow, Bishop-designee Pham’s witness has garnered national attention and will hopefully inspire others to join in this important work.

In my mind, if the Church wants to succeed in its mission of effectively preaching the Gospel to a world in desperate need of it, it has to get off insider topics – like the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and onto issues that affect daily lives – like poverty (yes, we have a lot of poverty in the US), cruelty (toward refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers and anyone who is different), and violence in all forms. These are the actions that show that Catholics can be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” Jesus challenges us to be. These are the actions that will enable the US Church to gain the respect and interest and support of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Can you imagine (I can!) Jesus standing in the corridor outside the courtroom as Bishop-designee Pham stood, with people who are not criminals, who are not guilty of anything more than overstaying their work visa, who are being taken from their families and threatened with deportation? Men and women who are working hard to support their families in jobs in nursing homes and hospitals, on farms, putting up drywall, and mowing lawns - jobs that would remain unfilled if not for them.

Can you imagine (I can’t!) Jesus standing idly by while the poor are denied access to medical care, food, housing and fair wages? (See the Big, Beautiful Bill that is on its way to final passage.)

So, my thinking is that USCCB has quite a bit of change heading its way. Change that is much needed. And Pope Leo is just the man for the job. I pray that he takes full advantage of his opportunity to call and appoint bishops to be men of courage and compassion, worthy of Jesus. May all of us who call ourselves people of faith be men and women of courage and compassion as well!