Bishops discuss worthiness of Communion reception at USCCB
‘We did what we wanted to do’
From the Dec. 2, 2021 edition of The Lumen:
Bishop Nickless reflected upon the fall USCCB meeting, including the eucharistic document.
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As numerous lay people and some media outlets have applied pressure on the bishops to publicly condemn Catholic politicians who support abortion, Bishop Nickless acknowledged he and his peers realized the release of the document could be controversial.
“We did what we wanted to do,” he said of the document’s development and approval, noting there was little dissention among the bishops discussing the issue. (See link to document below.)
In addition to preparing the eucharistic document, the bishops discussed the two-year process preparing for the summer 2024 Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. This eucharistic revival is an effort to energize the faithful about the Eucharist “and our devotion of the Eucharist.”
“We spent considerable time with Bishop (Andrew) Cozzens, newly-appointed bishop of Crookston, Minn., while he walked us through the whole program,” Bishop Nickless said. “He shared extensively about it – where and what we are supposed to do in each of the years preparing for it.”
Media and protestors abound
Due to the media’s anticipation of a condemnation of pro-abortion politicians, the media presence and the emotions from protestors was “more pronounced” than during previous in-person meetings.
“The media is all over the place. The protestors from across the street were on the elevator (with bishops) making a scene – ‘Retire! Be gone! You are killing women, abusing boys,’” Bishop Nickless said, noting the protestors did not have access to the meetings but were able to reserve rooms in the bishops’ hotels.
Walking to dinner with some of his fellow bishops, they were in contact with protestors “yelling their message at us.” Many protestors did participate in an all-day rally during the USCCB meeting.
Although Bishop Nickless said the bishops “are used to” the verbal attacks during the meetings, most people and the media did not cause problems.
“The media were respectful of us. They have credentials to sit in on our meetings,” Bishop Nickless explained, noting the USCCB staff manages media requests for the bishops.
The faithful sent emails of support and promises of prayer for their shepherds.
“Most people were very, very supportive,” he said. “I knew people back in Sioux City were praying for me and all the bishops. I greatly appreciate that.”
Modeling the synod
Due to safety concerns surrounding the pandemic, the November 2021 USCCB meeting was the first in-person gathering of the bishops in two years. Bishop Nickless said the personal contact led to more meaningful interaction with his peers.
“We did personally encounter one another and that made a difference,” he said. “We hadn’t seen each other in two years. There was friendly talking and sharing.”
The bishops drew a parallel between the USCCB gathering and Pope Francis’ current Synod on Synodality listening meetings in parishes throughout the country.
“We were doing what the Holy Father asks us to do in the upcoming synod. We want a personal encounter. We do not want a screen. We are practicing what the synod is all about – personal encounters with human beings,” Bishop Nickless said. “We talked about the mission and evangelization of the church. Outside of the meetings, in our meals, in our casual conversations, in our coffee breaks.”
There was much discussion about the progress of the synod, he said. The bishops recognized the need for the personal meetings, listening to the faithful and including all demographics as “no one is unimportant.”
“We need the personal contact. Listening is much better than people writing in their thoughts or sending by email. The whole point is a person encounter with every person, Catholic or non-Catholic, believing or non-believing,” Bishop Nickless pointed out.
He explained personal encounters will bring more fruit from the synod process than completing forms to return to the chancery.
“The bishop invites people to the synod gatherings. I want to hear what they have to say … that’s what we are doing. The bishops are personally involved and want to listen,” he said.
Prayer set the tone
The schedule for the bishops changed slightly from previous years by beginning with prayer instead of jumping into USCCB business meetings right away, which set a prayerful tone for the conference.
“Every bishop was pleased with the positive attitudes that hovered over the meeting from the very first moment when we decided to pray first and then begin our formal meetings,” Bishop Nickless said, explaining the schedule change had been recommended in the past.
Former USCCB president and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., preached a reflection to the 200-plus bishops after morning prayer.
“He gave a wonderful reflection on unity and the importance of what we do as bishops, and how central the Eucharist is to us,” Bishop Nickless said. “It was a beautiful morning of prayer. It set a whole different tone.”
Other business
Other issues crammed into the full USCCB meeting agenda included an updated socially responsible investment guide, national statutes for the catechumenate and electing a new general secretary as well as numerous committee chairs.
The group affirmed advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization of laypeople Charlene Marie Richards, Auguste Robert Pelafigue and Joseph Dutton.
Members voted to approve the translation by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy of holy Communion and worship of the eucharistic mystery outside of Mass. The bishops authorized the committee on the protection of children and young people to begin a review of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults in advance of the June 2025 mandated review date.
Members approved the revised edition of the Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults and a revised Spanish edition of the Ritual para la Iniciación Cristiana de adultos.
The bishops were “very concerned with the immigration issues” and how the U.S. church can respond to the refugees from Afghanistan and other places, Bishop Nickless said.
Dioceses will be working on the pastoral framework for marriage and family – Called to the Joy of Love. The diocese will be working on lay ecclesial ministries and certifying lay people “to know and teach the faith.”
Energized and hopeful
With the positive atmosphere from beginning the event with prayer to the eucharistic document approval and meeting with his peers in-person, Bishop Nickless said he emerged from the USCCB fall meeting with a positive outlook for the Diocese of Sioux City.
“I am energized and hopeful about the future of the church,” he said. “I’m sure because so many people were praying for us, and it worked … We did appreciate the prayers and God does what he wants with our prayers.”
“We did what we wanted to do,” he said of the document’s development and approval, noting there was little dissention among the bishops discussing the issue. (See link to document below.)
In addition to preparing the eucharistic document, the bishops discussed the two-year process preparing for the summer 2024 Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. This eucharistic revival is an effort to energize the faithful about the Eucharist “and our devotion of the Eucharist.”
“We spent considerable time with Bishop (Andrew) Cozzens, newly-appointed bishop of Crookston, Minn., while he walked us through the whole program,” Bishop Nickless said. “He shared extensively about it – where and what we are supposed to do in each of the years preparing for it.”
Media and protestors abound
Due to the media’s anticipation of a condemnation of pro-abortion politicians, the media presence and the emotions from protestors was “more pronounced” than during previous in-person meetings.
“The media is all over the place. The protestors from across the street were on the elevator (with bishops) making a scene – ‘Retire! Be gone! You are killing women, abusing boys,’” Bishop Nickless said, noting the protestors did not have access to the meetings but were able to reserve rooms in the bishops’ hotels.
Walking to dinner with some of his fellow bishops, they were in contact with protestors “yelling their message at us.” Many protestors did participate in an all-day rally during the USCCB meeting.
Although Bishop Nickless said the bishops “are used to” the verbal attacks during the meetings, most people and the media did not cause problems.
“The media were respectful of us. They have credentials to sit in on our meetings,” Bishop Nickless explained, noting the USCCB staff manages media requests for the bishops.
The faithful sent emails of support and promises of prayer for their shepherds.
“Most people were very, very supportive,” he said. “I knew people back in Sioux City were praying for me and all the bishops. I greatly appreciate that.”
Modeling the synod
Due to safety concerns surrounding the pandemic, the November 2021 USCCB meeting was the first in-person gathering of the bishops in two years. Bishop Nickless said the personal contact led to more meaningful interaction with his peers.
“We did personally encounter one another and that made a difference,” he said. “We hadn’t seen each other in two years. There was friendly talking and sharing.”
The bishops drew a parallel between the USCCB gathering and Pope Francis’ current Synod on Synodality listening meetings in parishes throughout the country.
“We were doing what the Holy Father asks us to do in the upcoming synod. We want a personal encounter. We do not want a screen. We are practicing what the synod is all about – personal encounters with human beings,” Bishop Nickless said. “We talked about the mission and evangelization of the church. Outside of the meetings, in our meals, in our casual conversations, in our coffee breaks.”
There was much discussion about the progress of the synod, he said. The bishops recognized the need for the personal meetings, listening to the faithful and including all demographics as “no one is unimportant.”
“We need the personal contact. Listening is much better than people writing in their thoughts or sending by email. The whole point is a person encounter with every person, Catholic or non-Catholic, believing or non-believing,” Bishop Nickless pointed out.
He explained personal encounters will bring more fruit from the synod process than completing forms to return to the chancery.
“The bishop invites people to the synod gatherings. I want to hear what they have to say … that’s what we are doing. The bishops are personally involved and want to listen,” he said.
Prayer set the tone
The schedule for the bishops changed slightly from previous years by beginning with prayer instead of jumping into USCCB business meetings right away, which set a prayerful tone for the conference.
“Every bishop was pleased with the positive attitudes that hovered over the meeting from the very first moment when we decided to pray first and then begin our formal meetings,” Bishop Nickless said, explaining the schedule change had been recommended in the past.
Former USCCB president and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., preached a reflection to the 200-plus bishops after morning prayer.
“He gave a wonderful reflection on unity and the importance of what we do as bishops, and how central the Eucharist is to us,” Bishop Nickless said. “It was a beautiful morning of prayer. It set a whole different tone.”
Other business
Other issues crammed into the full USCCB meeting agenda included an updated socially responsible investment guide, national statutes for the catechumenate and electing a new general secretary as well as numerous committee chairs.
The group affirmed advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization of laypeople Charlene Marie Richards, Auguste Robert Pelafigue and Joseph Dutton.
Members voted to approve the translation by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy of holy Communion and worship of the eucharistic mystery outside of Mass. The bishops authorized the committee on the protection of children and young people to begin a review of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults in advance of the June 2025 mandated review date.
Members approved the revised edition of the Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults and a revised Spanish edition of the Ritual para la Iniciación Cristiana de adultos.
The bishops were “very concerned with the immigration issues” and how the U.S. church can respond to the refugees from Afghanistan and other places, Bishop Nickless said.
Dioceses will be working on the pastoral framework for marriage and family – Called to the Joy of Love. The diocese will be working on lay ecclesial ministries and certifying lay people “to know and teach the faith.”
Energized and hopeful
With the positive atmosphere from beginning the event with prayer to the eucharistic document approval and meeting with his peers in-person, Bishop Nickless said he emerged from the USCCB fall meeting with a positive outlook for the Diocese of Sioux City.
“I am energized and hopeful about the future of the church,” he said. “I’m sure because so many people were praying for us, and it worked … We did appreciate the prayers and God does what he wants with our prayers.”
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