Archbishop Gomez leads the largest U.S. diocese, Los Angeles, home to more than four million Catholics, and has been a vocal proponent of rights for immigrants.

First elected in 2006, Morales' administration was marked by overseeing a resource boom and putting the proceeds into poverty reduction and infrastructure projects.

In a news conference after the presentation, Bishop Barron said he wasn't surprised by the lengthy conversation about bringing people back to church

Proposed changes to a bishops’ letter introducing “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” reveal concerns that segments of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are not fully on board with Francis’ now six-year-old papacy.

As the U.S. bishops begin their meetings with Pope Francis, held every five years, here are some of the topics that need to be discussed.

In a statement issued late Nov. 7, James Rogers, the USCCB's chief communications officer, took issue with Ivereigh's account.