Presidential Address of Most Rev. Paul S Coakley - June 2026 Plenary Assembly

In his first address as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley expresses gratitude for the trust placed in him and reflects on the important work of the Conference. Drawing on his episcopal motto duc in altum (“put out into the deep”), he calls on the bishops and the Church to move beyond comfort zones with courage and faith in response to the challenges of our time. Archbishop Coakley highlights the defense of human dignity, especially the unborn, the elderly, and the vulnerable, the need to combat polarization through dialogue and encounter, and the importance of restoring hope in a world facing migration, conflict, secularism, and technological change. He references the Holy Father’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, celebrates record numbers of people entering the Church, and reaffirms the Conference’s commitment to immigration reform, faithful citizenship, and the works of mercy. -- WEBSITES USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/ -- SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook:   / usccb   Twitter:   / usccb   Instagram:   / usccb   LinkedIn:   / usccb   TikTok:   / usbishops