The upcoming election of new leadership for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops carries significant weight for America’s Catholic faithful, with ten bishops vying for the roles of president and vice president when the bishops gather in Baltimore from November 10-13.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who currently serves as president and leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, will step down at the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly, along with Vice President Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore. The election requires a simple majority, with multiple ballots possible if no candidate initially secures more than half the votes.
The slate of candidates presents Catholic Americans with a telling picture of the current state of Church leadership. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, known for his extensive media apostolate, brings significant visibility to Catholic teaching. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville represent the growing influence of bishops from traditionally conservative regions.
Archbishop Richard Henning recently arrived in Boston, one of the Church’s most challenging assignments given the archdiocese’s history with clerical abuse scandals and financial difficulties. His election would signal confidence in his ability to rebuild trust in a crucial American diocese.
Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia, and Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis round out the field alongside two bishops whose positions have drawn particular attention from orthodox Catholics.
Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland stands out as perhaps the most traditionally-minded candidate. He has personally celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass for years, even before Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 document Summorum Pontificum made it more widely available. His approach reflects the preferences of Catholics who value liturgical tradition and doctrinal clarity.
Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend has built a reputation for defending Catholic moral teaching in public forums. His consistent articulation of Church positions on life, marriage and religious freedom issues has earned respect among conservative Catholics nationwide.
The candidacy that has generated the most concern among traditional Catholics is that of Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit. His recent decision to restrict priests from offering the Traditional Latin Mass has frustrated faithful Catholics who see this liturgy as spiritually nourishing. More controversially, his dismissal of three respected professors from Sacred Heart Seminary has raised questions about academic freedom and doctrinal orthodoxy within Catholic institutions.
These personnel decisions at Sacred Heart Seminary have particular significance because the institution serves not only the Archdiocese of Detroit but trains priests for dioceses across the Midwest. Catholic families who have invested in orthodox Catholic education for their sons pursuing the priesthood have expressed concern about the direction of their formation.
The election comes at a pivotal moment for American Catholicism. Recent Pew Research data shows that practicing Catholics continue to hold traditional views on marriage and family life, while cultural pressures mount for religious institutions to conform to secular positions on these issues. The next USCCB leadership will navigate these challenges while representing the Church’s interests in Washington.
Religious liberty remains a paramount concern, particularly given ongoing conflicts over conscience protections for Catholic hospitals, schools and charities. The Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission includes both Bishop Barron and Bishop Rhoades, indicating their engagement with these constitutional questions at the federal level.
The bishops will also select new chairmen for six standing committees, including the crucial Committee for Religious Liberty. Archbishop Sample and Bishop Michael Sis of San Angelo, Texas, are the candidates for this position, which will likely address ongoing challenges to Catholic institutions’ freedom to operate according to their beliefs.
Catholic voters, who played significant roles in recent elections, will watch these proceedings closely. The USCCB’s approach to political engagement, public policy advocacy and moral teaching shapes how millions of Americans understand their civic responsibilities.
The outcome of this election will signal whether American bishops prioritize traditional Catholic teaching and practice or embrace the more progressive directions some see emerging from Rome. For Catholic families seeking clarity on moral issues and support for traditional worship, the choice of leadership matters deeply.
The voting process allows for up to three ballots, with the final round serving as a runoff between the top two candidates, if necessary. This system has historically produced consensus choices, though it occasionally reveals significant divisions within the episcopal ranks.
As American Catholics face increasing cultural pressures to abandon traditional beliefs about marriage, family and human dignity, they need bishops willing to teach clearly and support them in living their faith authentically. The Baltimore meeting will reveal whether the current generation of bishops is prepared to provide that leadership.
The November assembly promises to shape the trajectory of American Catholicism for the next three years, influencing everything from how the Church engages with political leaders to how it supports families seeking to raise their children in the faith. Catholic Americans deserve bishops who will defend both their religious liberty and their authentic spiritual traditions.
