At their November meeting, the US bishops will elect a new secretary, who is also ex-officio chairman of the Committee on Priorities and Plans, described by The Pillar as the most powerful USCCB committee. The candidates are Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland (OR).
The bishops will also elect new chairmen of the Committees on Catholic Education, Communications, Cultural Diversity in the Church, Doctrine, National Collections, and Pro-Life Activities.