WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), including Bishop Robert Deeley, will gather virtually for the 2020 Fall General Assembly on November 16-17. In August, after consultation with the Holy See, the bishops voted to approve the convocation of this year’s November meeting in a virtual format in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The assembly will begin with an address by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre. The bishops will also hear from Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles as he gives his first address as USCCB president.
 
During the conference, the bishops will hear a report from the National Review Board which advises the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People on matters of child and youth protection, specifically on policies and practices. The meeting agenda is expected to include dialogue by the bishops on a pastoral response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a pastoral response to racism. They will discuss and vote on the revised strategic priorities of the USCCB’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, the renewal of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and the USCCB’s budget for 2021.
 
Public sessions of general assembly discussions, and votes will be available via livestream at www.usccb.org/live. The livestream will run Monday, November 16 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), and Tuesday, November 17 (1 p.m. to approximately 3 p.m.).

News updates, vote totals, texts of addresses and presentations, and other materials will be posted to www.usccb.org/meetings as soon as possible.
 
Those wishing to follow the meeting on social media are invited to use the hashtag #USCCB20 and follow on Twitter (@USCCB) as well as on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usccb) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/usccb).