US bishops’ Fall Plenary Assembly to be livestreamed

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will livestream the public sessions of its 2026 Fall Plenary Assembly, where the bishops will gather for prayer and fraternal dialogue.

The assembly will take place Nov. 16-19 in Baltimore, with public sessions Nov. 17 and 18 available on the conference’s website, according to a USCCB press release.

The public sessions will begin with an address by USCCB President Archbishop Paul Coakley and will also include remarks from Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The bishops will elect conference leaders, including chairmen-elect for six USCCB committees, and consider several action items including authorization to review and begin updating the pastoral plan for the Secretariat on Pro-Life Activities and a new edition of the Lectionary for Mass and Book of the Gospels. The agenda is still being finalized and remains subject to change, the release noted.

A panel will examine signs of renewed interest in the faith. The conference pointed to a “marked increase” in people entering the Church and surveys indicating renewed interest in religion among young people.

Other expected discussions concern immigration and artificial intelligence according to the release. Additional business includes consultations on proposed sainthood causes and votes on an annual Day of Prayer for Racial Justice, financial guidelines, and the conference’s 2027 budget.

The plenary announcement follows Archbishop Coakley’s Oct. 14 message urging Catholics to put their faith before politics and participate in civic life ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. 

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