Dec 15, 2006

BCL to be Renamed in USCCB Reorganization Plan

Online Edition – December 2006 – January 2007
Vol. XII, No. 9

BCL to be Renamed in USCCB Reorganization Plan

Among the actions of the bishops at their November meeting in Baltimore was approval of a Strategic Plan for the reorganization of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In process for several years, the proposal would combine, consolidate or eliminate some committees.

Under this plan, the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy (BCL) would be renamed the Committee on Divine Worship (BCDW). The committee’s new mandate is “to assist the bishops, both collectively and individually, in fulfilling their roles as priests and leaders of the worshipping community, especially with the translation of liturgical texts and the development of guidelines for the celebration of the Mass and the sacraments. The committee addresses in a particular way prayer and worship within culturally diverse communities”.

According to the report in the BCL’s November NewsLetter, the committee’s expanded mandate includes the following areas of responsibility: Liturgical practice within the United States, translation and adaptation of liturgical texts, sacred music, charismatic renewal, and national shrines.

The NewsLetter also listed the committee’s key mission responsibilities:
• Translating, adapting, reviewing, and promoting liturgical texts;
• Developing pastoral practices and guidelines for various liturgical questions;
• Reviewing liturgical participation aids and musical settings;
• Responding to specific questions from bishops and diocesan offices;
• Collaborating in the publication of liturgical texts and rituals;
• Fostering the leadership of the Catholic Charismatic Community.

The reorganized BCDW would maintain relationships with related USCCB Committees, diocesan and national liturgical groups, the Holy See, and the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).

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The Editors