Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez | Archdiocese of Philedelphia
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) held a Special Assembly from June 16 to June 20 in San Diego, California. Unlike the usual spring plenary sessions that involve public meetings and a formal business agenda, this assembly served as a retreat for bishops to engage in prayer, dialogue, and mutual support.
Archbishop Broglio led the opening Mass by sharing a personal story about how an act of generosity impacted his faith during his time as a seminarian. He urged his fellow bishops to remember the Gospel's significance in their ordination, emphasizing its role as "ever new and ever provocative." He acknowledged the challenges of preaching the Gospel but highlighted generosity as crucial for maintaining God's love in their hearts. Archbishop Broglio stated that a "missionary disciple sees no one as an enemy."
He particularly stressed this perspective within the context of immigration. Reflecting on America's history with immigrants, he noted that each wave faced discrimination from those who came before them. "Our history of welcome is a bit checkered," he said, mentioning Irish, German, and Italian immigrants' experiences. He called on bishops to encourage their communities to welcome newcomers from Latin America, Haiti, and other regions facing difficulties.