By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., USCCB president, and Msgr. Ronny E. Jenkins, USCCB general secretary, pray June 11 during the annua l spring meeting of the U .S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in New Orleans. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The U.S. bishops, gathered in New Orleans for their spring general assembly June 11-13, were urged to promote and support Catholic families.
At the close of the morning’s session June 11, the bishops were advised to pay close attention to the Vatican’s extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family Oct. 5-19 and to promote the World Meeting of Families September 2015 in Philadelphia.
The bishops, by their applause, also showed support for a letter to be sent to Pope Francis, inviting him to the Philadelphia meeting.
Read by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the letter said that the pope’s presence would “add significance” to the gathering and “deepen the bonds of affection” many Catholics feel for the Holy Father.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, described the Philadelphia gathering as a key factor in promoting family life, which he said is currently in crisis.
“The family today is living out a paradox,” he told the bishops. “On the one hand, great value is given to the bonds of family, everywhere in the world,” but today’s families are weakened and often “lose their way.”
The archbishop said he hoped the Philadelphia gathering would provide a “new spring” for families.
“Please believe and preach to your flocks” the importance of families, he added. (more…)
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