Fisher will give various spiritual talks Monday through Friday. His topics, Talley said, will include episcopal fraternity and communion in the teaching of Christ, in the experience of the apostolic generation, and in the traditions of the Church. He will discuss the Second Vatican Council’s use of the language of collegiality and developments after the council, including the topic of “synodality.” Fisher will reflect on the implications for bishops’ spirituality today, and for bishops’ friendships, preaching, and other actions.
Talley’s March 7 memo reported that the organizing committee had also suggested that Fisher address topics like unity and mutual support among bishops; bishops’ struggles with isolation, loneliness, and a national culture that is secularizing; the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic on a personal and institutional level; division and polarization in the country and in the Church; and themes of suffering and healing. Other suggested topics include unity with the Pope; unity with Jesus Christ; the centrality of the Cross and the transformation of suffering; and how to do fraternal correction with love.
The bishops also will celebrate Mass together throughout the week.
On Tuesday, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, USCCB president, was scheduled to celebrate Mass with the bishops at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas was scheduled to celebrate Mass on Wednesday, while Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, recently chosen by Pope Francis to become a cardinal, was scheduled to celebrate Mass on Thursday. Archbishop Fisher was scheduled to celebrate the closing Mass on Friday.
The special assembly was preceded by bishops’ committee meetings, held from June 11-13.
According to Talley’s memos, these meetings included sessions on: the National Review Board and the Committee for the Protection of Young People; the Church in Latin America; a board meeting for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network; the Church in Africa; Doctrine; the Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Divine Worship; National Collections; Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe; the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; Black and Indian Missions; Catholic Relief Services; the Pontifical North American College, and the advisory group for Eucharistic Revival.
Post-assembly optional events for bishops included a visit to the San Diego Zoo, a visit to the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier-turned-museum, a trolley tour of San Diego, and golf.
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services’ Egan Journalism Fellowship.
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