US bishops to vote for conference secretary, chairs of 6 standing committees

(OSV News) — Ahead of their annual fall meeting, the nation’s Catholic bishops have announced the nominees for the leadership of six standing committees and for their conference’s secretary.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will gather Nov. 16-19 in Baltimore, with a portion of the agenda dedicated to elections.

In an Oct. 17 press release, the USCCB explained that its position of secretary is open following the fall 2025 election of its incumbent, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, to finish out the term of Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City. The office was left vacant when the archbishop was voted in as USCCB president at last fall’s meeting.

The USCCB said the two nominees for secretary are Bishop Rhoades and Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio. The USCCB secretary also serves as chair of the conference’s Committee on Priorities and Plans.

Nominees for committee chairs are:

— Committee on Catholic Education: Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen of New York.

— Committee on Communications: Bishop Daniel J. Felton of Duluth, Minnesota, and Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois.

— Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church: Bishop Steven J. Maekawa of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Bishop Michael M. Pham of San Diego.

— Committee on Doctrine: Bishop William M. Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, and Bishop Steven J. Lopes, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

— Committee on National Collections: Bishop Mark A. Eckman of Pittsburgh and Bishop Gerald L. Vincke of Salina, Kansas.

— Committee on Pro-Life Activities: Bishop John T. Folda of Fargo, North Dakota, and Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, Wisconsin.

Each bishop elected will serve for one year as the chairman-elect of the respective committee before beginning a three-year term at the conclusion of the bishops’ 2027 fall plenary assembly.

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