Bishop Barron among nominees as US bishops vote for new president
The Catholic Herald • November 11, 2025
The bishops of the United States have gathered in Baltimore, Maryland, from 10 to 13 November for the Fall Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), during which they will elect their next president and vice president.
The vote will mark the end of the three-year terms of Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore.
Ten bishops have been nominated by their peers to stand for the two posts. They are Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland in Oregon, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis, and Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit.
The conference’s by-laws stipulate that the president is elected first by a simple majority of the bishops present and voting. The vice president is then chosen from the remaining nine candidates. If no bishop secures an outright majority in the initial ballot, a second vote is held, followed, if necessary, by a run-off between the top two contenders. The new officers will assume their responsibilities immediately upon the conclusion of the assembly and will serve for three years.
In addition to the leadership elections, the bishops will also select chairmen for six standing committees: Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Evangelisation and Catechesis, International Justice and Peace, Protection of Children and Young People, and Religious Liberty. Those chosen will serve for one year as chairman-elect before beginning a full three-year term following the 2026 Fall General Assembly.
The bishops will discuss a range of pastoral and moral issues, including preparations for the National Eucharistic Congress planned for 2029, the revision of the Dallas Charter on safeguarding, and questions surrounding end-of-life care, migration, and Catholic hospital ethics.
Among those standing for election are bishops representing the full spectrum of the American hierarchy. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who currently serves as secretary of the conference, is regarded as a steady conservative voice with a focus on social teaching.
Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, founder of the Word on Fire media apostolate, is widely known for his catechetical work and evangelising outreach. Theologically traditional but pastorally open, he has called for renewed missionary energy within the Church and warned of the dangers of secularism and moral relativism.
At the other end of the spectrum, Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, a leading advocate of synodality, is viewed as more closely aligned with the pastoral priorities of the late Pope Francis. He has urged civil dialogue within the Church and highlighted immigration and social justice as key moral concerns. Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit has voiced similar concerns, supporting environmental action and migrant protection while restricting celebrations of the Traditional Latin Mass in his diocese.
Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland in Oregon is known for his defence of traditional liturgy and pro-life causes. A vocal critic of abortion and gender ideology, he enjoys strong support among conservative Catholics.
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis, by contrast, has sought to present himself as a unifying figure, emphasising fidelity to doctrine while calling for calm and charity in public debate.
The USCCB, which represents some 260 active and retired bishops, has often been seen as a bellwether of Catholic life in the United States. Its leadership elections attract attention not only for their internal significance but also for the direction they signal to the wider Church. Previous contests have produced unexpected results, as in 2010 when the bishops chose Cardinal Timothy Dolan over the sitting vice president.
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