Covering the USCCB
|
41
Committee on Priorities and Plans
For news purposes, this committee too is basically an inside-the-beltway com-
mittee whose decisions and proposals rarely reach the level of general news
interest. It helps the bishops establish goals, objectives and five-year planning
cycles for conference activities and priorities; coordinates the development
of specific initiatives for priority issues; approves proposals of annual plans
related to those goals, objectives and initiatives for presentation to the U.S.
bishops; and on an ongoing basis monitors how all those things are being
implemented. It also oversees the annual job of nominating bishops for com-
mittee chairmanships and conference office posts. The USCCB secretary is
automatically chairman of this committee.
Committee on Budget and Finance
Another inside-the-beltway committee for most news purposes, this com-
mittee reviews all USCCB budget and financial management operations and
develops budget proposals to align budget and operations with conference
priorities and strategic plans.
The USCCB treasurer is automatically chairman of this committee. It
has an Audit Subcommittee that oversees USCCB financial audits, conflict
of interest policies and other policies and practices regarding the ethics and
integrity of overall USCCB management and business practices.
MAJOR CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS OR AGENCIES
The U.S. Catholic Church has almost innumerable official and unofficial
Catholic organizations and agencies that act on behalf of the church or rep-
resent it or its members, unofficially or in varying degrees of official capacity.
Here is a list of some of the main officially recognized organizations and agen-
cies directly connected to or recognized by the Holy See or the U.S. bishops,
with brief descriptions and contact references.
Heads of Religious Orders
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
Canonically recognized by the Vatican as the U.S. representative agency for
provincials or other major superiors of men’s religious orders in the United
States, CMSM coordinates their activities on public policy and justice and