By
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — During their spring meeting in
Indianapolis, U.S. bishops were reminded that the upcoming Convocation of
Catholic Leaders — a gathering they began talking about years ago — is right
around the corner.
It will
be a historic event, Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, New York, chairman
of the bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, told the
bishops June 15 about the July 1-4 “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The
Joy of the Gospel in America” in Orlando, Florida.
He also
noted that it will be the largest gathering sponsored by U.S. bishops and will be
a time to show the unity of the church.
The
convocation, an invitation-only event, is meant to give the 3,000 participants
expected to attend a better understanding of what it means to be missionary
disciples in today’s world through workshop presentations, keynote addresses
and prayer.
The
plan, from the outset, was to bring Catholic leaders from across the country to
closely examine and figure out how to best live out Pope Francis’ call for all
Catholics to be missionary disciples in today’s world as expressed in his 2013
apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the
Gospel”).
Dioceses
are sending delegations chosen by their bishops, and other attendees will be
key leaders of Catholic organizations, apostolates, missions, congregations,
institutions and agencies identified by the USCCB.
Bishop
Malone thanked the bishops for supporting the convocation dedicated to forming
missionary disciples who can then go out and form others, following the call of
Pope Francis.
He
urged the bishops to make use of their time in conversations with diocesan
delegates during the convocation to walk and pray with them. On a practical
note, he also suggested that they wear comfortable shoes.
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