WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) met November 16-17 for their Fall General Assembly, which convened in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. bishops elected Monsignor Jeffrey D. Burrill, S.T.L., as General Secretary of the USCCB.

Monsignor Burrill has served as Associate General Secretary of USCCB since February 2016. In that position, he has served as administrator of the USCCB’s pastoral offices and as a member of the executive staff.

“I am honored the bishops have elected me to this important position,” said Monsignor Burrill. “I am grateful to Monsignor Bransfield for his leadership, and I look forward to carrying out the priorities of the Conference on behalf of the bishops.”

Monsignor Burrill is a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse. Prior to his service at the USCCB, he served as pastor of St. Bronislava Church from 2013-2016 and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 2009-2013, first as director of apostolic formation and then as the Carl J. Peter chair of homiletics, formation advisor, and director of media relations. He was pastor of the tri-parishes of St. Mary’s, Durand, Holy Rosary, Lima, and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Mondovi, Wisconsin, from 2001 through 2009. He taught and served as chaplain at Regis High School and Middle School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from 1999 to 2001.

Monsignor Burrill earned a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary’s College Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, in 1994; a bachelor of sacred theology from the Gregorian University in Rome in 1997; and a licentiate in ecumenical theology from the Angelicum University, also in Rome, in 1999. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1998 in the Diocese of La Crosse. He served in several leadership positions for the diocese, including six years as a regional vicar and two terms on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council. Monsignor Burrill also served as the ecumenical officer and as a member of the seminary admissions board.

Elected to a five-year term, the general secretary coordinates all administrative matters of the Conference and is responsible for the coordination of the work of the Conference Committees and staff. He likewise directs and coordinates the planning and operational activities of the various secretariats and offices in support of the work of the Conference.

Monsignor Burrill succeeds Monsignor Brian Bransfield who served as General Secretary since 2015.

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