Bishops OK vocations prayer day, will draft death penalty statement

Published: 2005-06-16

CHICAGO (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops June 16 decided to hold an annual day of prayer for priestly vocations and to draft a statement on the death penalty for consideration this November. Meeting June 16-18 in Chicago, on their first day the bishops also approved changes to expand and strengthen their Committee on Priorities and Plans, listened to a panel presentation on lay ecclesial ministry and welcomed a delegation from the Latin American bishops' council. They heard preliminary presentations on a series of other issues, including revisions in their "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and the related "Essential Norms" for dealing with sexual abuse. They were to vote on those items the following day.

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