Editor
In the view of Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, two major achievements came out of the annual meeting of the U.S. bishops, held last week in Washington, D.C.: the pastoral letter on young adults and the precis on the Church's teaching on social justice.
"It is a continuing concern of the bishops to reach out to the youth of the Church," the Bishop told The Evangelist this week. "We started to do that with our pastoral letter on youth ministry. But there is also a whole group of Catholics out there -- people out of school but not yet settled down with a family -- who are in need of particular attention from the Church. Our document last week is an effort to address those people and their needs in a comprehensive and holistic fashion."
The pastoral plan will have applications in the Albany Diocese, he said, through "our nascent young adult commission, which has been trying to develop our response to young adults. The plan will provide a framework to develop programs and strategies."
The 10-point statement on the economy is "a reiteration in abbreviated form of the basic principles of Church teaching on social justice, the economy, and healthcare and welfare reform," Bishop Hubbard said. "It is short and succinct, offering a quick reminder of the values we seek to weigh in considering the Church's response on the socio-economic issues facing us as a nation and world."
Other topics dealt with by the bishops also drew Bishop Hubbard's comments:
* On the norms for higher education: "The process of dialogue between the bishops and leaders of higher education was a fruitful if at times painful process. Each side came to appreciate the responsibilities and concerns of the other side. Significant progress was made, and a good foundation for the future was laid."
* On guidelines for televised Masses: "They are a good reminder for those engaging in this important apostolate. We've been following them in the Albany Diocese. It's a checklist to ensure we are producing the type of programming that's in accord with sound liturgical principles and practices."
* On regulations concerning communion: "They are an improvement over the statement on intercommunion issued a few years ago. It's more carefully nuanced and specific about the discipline of the Church and the opportunities available to those who are not in full communion with the Church."