At the Fall Assembly of bishops in Baltimore, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles spoke of the importance of remaining faithful to the church's "unchanging mission" even in turbulent times.

"Delighted to hear Archbishop Gomez quote Archbishop Ireland in his presidential address this morning, #USCCB21 speaking of importance of being faithful to Church’s unchanging mission in midst of changing circumstances of civil society, recognizing beauty of the present moment,” tweeted Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

This was the first time in two years that the bishops have gathered in person, the Baltimore Sun reported. Last year's assembly was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the newspaper said.

The conference includes nearly 300 bishops, the story said. Baltimore is the oldest U.S. diocese, the Sun reported.

Among the actions taken by bishops this year was the adoption guidelines for socially responsible investing.

The bishops also approved a three-year plan for "national Eucharistic revival" which will culminate with a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024.

Worldwide, the church is launching a “eucharistic revival project,” the Sun reported.

The U.S. bishops at their Baltimore conference adopted a statement on the importance of the eucharist, Catholic News Service reported. 

“One should not celebrate Mass or receive holy Communion in the state of mortal sin without having sought the sacrament of reconciliation and received absolution,” the statement said. 

It also states that Catholics who “knowingly and obstinately” rejected the doctrines of the church or its teaching on moral issues should not receive Communion because that would be “likely to cause scandal for others," Catholic News Service reported.