Upon his installation as the 10th Bishop of Harrisburg, Bishop Joseph P. McFadden assumes the role of president of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Administrative Board.

The PCC Administrative Board, which is composed of both clergy and laity, meets three times a year to conduct the affairs of the Conference by ratifying public policy positions within the guidelines set by the Board of Governors and offering guidance to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference staff.

The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, which meets annually, comprises the local ordinary bishops of Pennsylvania, that is, the ecclesiastical superiors of each Pennsylvania diocese. The function of the board, which is governed by its chairman, Cardinal Justin Rigali, is to establish the principles of the conference and determine its policies. Each ordinary bishop appoints two members to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Administrative Board, one of whom is a priest and serves as a personal representative of the bishop to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania. There are 10 Catholic dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Eight are Latin Rite dioceses, fully contained within the Commonwealth. Two are Byzantine Rite dioceses with Apostolic Sees in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has set broad objectives and highlighted some particular issues of concern.

Photo credit: The Catholic Witness, Diocese of Harrisburg

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