U.S. Bishops Approve Plan to Draft a Document on the Eucharist and Embark on a National Eucharistic Revival

According to Catholic News Service, The U.S. bishops approved by a wide margin a plan to draft a document to examine the “meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the church” following a lengthy debate during their spring general assembly.

The action to move forward passed with 168 votes in favor and 55 votes against it. There were six abstentions.

The results, announced June 18, the final day of the virtual spring assembly, allow the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine to draft the document and present it for discussion when the bishops reconvene in person in November.

For more than two hours on June 17th, 43 bishops shared their views on whether such a document was necessary at a time when Catholics are returning to regular Mass attendance as pandemic restrictions ease or if it should even be considered lest it be perceived as fracturing the unity of a church already faced with numerous challenges.

The bishops reached no consensus during the discussion. They voted electronically immediately after the second day of the meeting concluded late in the afternoon. 

The bishops have embarked on a multiyear National Eucharistic Revival initiative that is part of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2021-2024 strategic plan, “Created Anew by the Body and Blood of Christ: Source of Our Healing and Hope.”

 If the bishops approve the development of a draft document, the committee plans to submit it for the bishops’ next general assembly in November, to be held in person.

Edited from CNS