November 2024 Plenary Assembly

The body of bishops meets typically twice a year for a General Assembly to transact its business and address matters of concern within its civil and canonical mandates. Attendance is limited to individuals and organizations who work in conjunction with USCCB or the member bishops.  The proceedings are made available online via live stream.

Decisions ranging from election of Committee Chairmen and Conference Officers to subject matter of pastoral statements and revisions to liturgical books, require either a simple majority, or a vote of two-thirds of the member bishops in order to be approved. Active bishops, ordinary and auxiliary, both Latin and Eastern Rite are eligible to vote on particular items. Emeritus bishops are welcome to attend the Assemblies and participate in discussion and other activities, but they are not eligible to vote.

The bishops also use the time of the General Assembly to meet with the other bishops of their region to discuss items on a smaller scale or more specific to their individual dioceses.

Further, the General Assemblies are a time of fraternal connection and fellowship among the bishops.  They pray and worship together throughout the Assembly in addition to conducting the ongoing business of the Conference.