US bishops encourage confession, approve Seelos memorial; economic statement fails to gain approval
November 14, 2012
By large margins, members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve a statement encouraging Catholics to go to Confession during Lent (236-1 vote), to approve a statement on Sunday homilies (227-11 vote), and to add the optional memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos to the US liturgical calendar (213-1 vote). The October 5 memorial for Blessed Seelos (1819-67), a Bavarian-born Redemptorist who ministered in the United States, requires additional approval from the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship.
By a voice vote, the US bishops also expressed their support for the canonization cause of Dorothy Day. Vatican norms require that at least regional bishops be consulted during a sainthood cause.
A draft document on bishops and new technologies was withdrawn, and a 134-85 vote in favor of a proposed statement on “Work, Poverty and a Broken Economy” fell short of the two-thirds majority necessary for approval.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Agenda Item Vote Results - November 2012 USCCB General Assembly (USCCB)
- Francis Xavier Seelos (Congregation for the Causes of Saints)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Nov. 15, 2012 11:53 AM ET USA
Gee, I suppose that confession before Mass on Sunday and weekdays will generate even longer lines now. Our two priests currently offer 15 opportunities per week before Mass for confession. Now they will probably have to either extend the time for confession before each Mass or establish more opportunities independent of Mass. It is becoming more and more difficult to follow the Pope's example of weekly confession these days. On Sundays the lines start at 6:45 a.m.; on weekdays at about 6:00 a.m.
