Besides Archbishop Gregory, the bishops attending the meeting were Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of Charleston; Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer and retired Bishop J. Kevin Boland of Savannah; Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama of Atlanta; and Bishop-designate Bernard E. Shlesinger III, whom Pope Francis recently named an Atlanta auxiliary.

Archbishop Gregory said the prelates spoke about the ongoing impact of immigration in their areas, including how new legislation and the political climate are affecting the immigrant population.

Bishop Guglielmone said increased attention to the immigration question is especially important to dioceses in the province because most of the Hispanic immigrants in the region are Catholic.

"We realize that we have those who are documented and undocumented, and they are all our brothers and sisters," Bishop Guglielmone said. "We have to see how we can be of assistance to them."

The bishops also discussed issues they expected to be part of the July 1-4 "Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of The Gospel in America" in Orlando, Florida, especially the need for increased evangelization.

Another topic before the province's church leaders was the effect of Pope Francis' 2016 apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love") on ministry to married couples and families. Archbishop Gregory said they focused particularly on how each diocesan tribunal is responding to Pope Francis' call to streamline the annulment process, and make it more accessible and affordable.

Archbishop Gregory also celebrated Mass in the Charleston diocesan pastoral center's Chapel of the Holy Family, which was attended by diocesan employees and people from the community.

In his homily he reflected on the day's Gospel reading that included Christ's instruction on how humans should interact with one another: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you."

Those simple words developed into what is now known as the Golden Rule, he reminded the congregation, but noted that today that rule is under serious assault.

"If there has ever been a moment in human history when we should listen to this rule, we are in it now," Archbishop Gregory said. "We have had terrible examples lately of people who have obviously forgotten how they would like others to treat them. Matthew in this Gospel does not mince words. If we all would simply treat others the way we want to be treated, the world would be in a better place right now."

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Knauss is a reporter at The Catholic Miscellany, newspaper of the Diocese of Charleston.