Bishops choose new committee heads, treasurer-elect

Baltimore, Md., Nov 13, 2012 / 10:44 am

The United States Catholic bishops have elected Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas as their new treasurer-elect, as well as the chairman of their Committee on Budget and Finance.

Members of the bishops' conference also picked chairmen-elect for five committees at their Nov. 12-15 fall general assembly in Baltimore.

Nominated by the conference's Committee on Priorities and Plans, each elected bishop will serve for one year as chairman-elect before beginning a three-year term as chairman of his respective committee.

On Nov. 12, the bishops chose Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami as chairman-elect of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

The archbishop will succeed Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., who currently leads the committee, which works to further the Church's social mission through education, poverty awareness initiatives and advocacy efforts.

In addition, the bishops tapped Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston to lead the Committee on Divine Worship, which oversees matters related to the Liturgy.

Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, N.Y., was chosen to lead the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. He will take over the position from Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Ft. Wayne-South Bend, who currently leads the committee.

The bishops selected Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio L. Elizondo of Seattle as chairman-elect of the Committee on Migration and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., as the next leader of the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

The bishops also added Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, Bishop Joseph Cistone of Saginaw, Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo and Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn for Maronites to the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services.