WASHINGTON (January 7, 1998) -- The President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, has appointed an ad hoc committee of bishops to study the recent Instruction from the Holy See "On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priests."

Bishop Pilla said the ad hoc committee was formed in response to a discussion at the November General Meeting of the NCCB which followed a presentation on the Instruction by Bishop James R. Hoffman of Toledo. The ad hoc committee will carry out the study with the aim of assisting bishops in the interpretation and application of the practical provisions contained in the Instruction.

Bishop Hoffman will serve as Chairman of the new ad hoc Committee on the Interdicasterial Instruction. In addition, the chairmen of several Conference committees were asked to recommend a bishop from each of their respective committees who would serve as a member of the new committee. Those committees were Canonical Affairs, Doctrine, Pastoral Practices, Priestly Life and Ministry, Women in Society and in the Church, Laity and its Subcommittee on Ecclesial Lay Ministry.

The following bishops have agreed to serve with Bishop Hoffman as members of the ad hoc committee: Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop Thomas G. Doran, Bishop John C. Dunne, Bishop Richard C. Hanifen, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop Emil A. Wcela, and Bishop Richard J. Sklba.

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