US Catholic bishops elect new president, VP in Baltimore assembly Nov. 10; 10 candidates vie amid renewal in key commissions, shaping Church’s cultural stance.
Newsroom (10/11/2025 Gaudium Press ) The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) kicked off its Fall Plenary Assembly on Monday, November 10, with a pivotal agenda: electing a new president and vice president to steer the nation’s Catholic hierarchy for the next three years. This high-stakes gathering, attended by prelates from across the country, marks a turning point for the U.S. Church as it navigates cultural tensions and internal renewal.
The assembly, held at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, replaces outgoing President Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the military ordinary who has led the conference since 2022, and Vice President Archbishop William E. Lori, the archbishop of Baltimore, whose tenure ends with this meeting. Broglio’s leadership has been defined by efforts to address global conflicts and domestic issues like religious liberty, while Lori has championed ecumenical dialogue and synodality. Their successors will inherit a landscape shaped by post-pandemic recovery, polarized politics, and Pope Francis’s calls for a more synodal Church.
At the heart of the plenary is a slate of 10 candidates, all nominated by fellow bishops and representing diverse regions and pastoral experiences. The nominees, drawn from dioceses spanning the Midwest to the Southwest, include:
- Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, a prominent theologian and media figure known for his Word on Fire ministry and defenses of Catholic doctrine in public forums.
- Bishop Paul S. Coakley of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, who has focused on pro-life advocacy and immigration reform.
- Bishop Daniel E. Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, a voice on border issues and Hispanic ministry.
- Bishop Richard G. Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston, recently installed and emphasizing youth engagement.
- Bishop David J. Malloy of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, with expertise in seminary formation.
- Bishop Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a leader in urban ministry and interfaith relations.
- Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, noted for his work on marriage and family life.
- Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Oregon, who has prioritized liturgical renewal and environmental stewardship.
- Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, an advocate for Catholic education.
- Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Archdiocese of Detroit, focused on social justice and economic equity.
The election process, governed by USCCB statutes, demands an absolute majority—more than 50% of voting members—for victory. Should no candidate secure it in the first ballot, a runoff will eliminate lower vote-getters; persistent ties trigger a final head-to-head. The president will be chosen first, followed by the vice president from the remaining pool. Balloting is expected to unfold over the assembly’s four-day run, with results potentially announced by midweek.
Beyond the top posts, the bishops face a broader leadership shuffle, voting on chairs for six key committees that underpin the conference’s work:
- Canonical Affairs and Church Governance
- Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations
- Evangelization and Catechesis
- International Justice and Peace
- Child and Youth Protection
- Religious Freedom
These roles, critical for policy on everything from abuse prevention to global advocacy, come with a one-year “presidents-elect” probation before a full three-year term begins at the 2026 assembly’s close. The selections reflect the USCCB’s dual mandate: safeguarding doctrinal fidelity amid secular challenges while fostering outreach in a pluralistic society.
Observers say the outcomes could profoundly influence the American Church’s trajectory. On one side, candidates like Barron or Rhoades embody a push to fortify Catholic identity against “ideological pressures”—from gender ideology to religious exemptions in law—echoing Broglio’s tenure. Others, such as Pérez or Weisenburger, signal a dialogical bent, prioritizing bridges with culture on issues like migration and climate. “This isn’t just administrative; it’s about the soul of U.S. Catholicism in a divided era,” said one diocesan source familiar with the deliberations, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The plenary, which runs through Thursday, also features discussions on synodality, Eucharist revival, and responses to the 2024 election’s aftermath. As Baltimore’s harbor lights flicker outside, the bishops’ choices here may well illuminate—or challenge—the path forward for 70 million American Catholics.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infovaticana
Related Images:
