Convening Board Minutes 6/04.04
Members present: Bill Burkert, Dave Cooper, Mike Erwin, Joe Hornacek, Alan Jurkus, John Lukaszewicz, Brian Mason, Ken Mich
Excused: Steve Amann
Also present: Steve Avella, Allen Sommer
The meeting was held at St. Matthias Parish and was called to order at 1:30 PM. Brian Mason led an opening prayer.
The minutes of the May 19th meeting were reviewed. The following corrections were noted:
Brian Mason reported the following:
A stamp for depositing checks has been ordered from TCF Bank.
Dues from four new members were deposited into the account leaving a balance of $1609.20.
No expenditures for the month.
Issue of Withholding the Eucharist from Politicians
Steve Avella came to the convening board to make a proposal regarding the escalating rhetoric among the bishops, as well as the practice of some bishops, of withholding Communion from Catholic politicians who do not vote in line with the Church’s stance on abortion. Steve gave a lengthy background on his own research into this issue and his rationale for bringing this proposal to the convening board. The Eucharist is the central ministry of priests and exclusion from the Eucharist should not be what defines our ministry. Steve proposed that we put together a letter or document in which we respectfully lay out what we believe about the Eucharist as well as a statement on a consistent teaching regarding the sanctity of all human life. This is an issue that could affect all priests as we are the ones who will either have to enforce it or dissent from it – both actions would have ramifications.
After much discussion, the convening board agreed that a committee be formed and a preliminary document be drafted that would be sent out to the members of the Alliance so that it could be discussed at our September meeting. Both Bill Burkert and Brian Mason stated their willingness to assist Steve on writing this document.
Alan Jurkus brought up the issue of priests who are in the process of being incardinated into the archdiocese or who will seek to do so in the future. At the District 11 meeting, one person spoke of the “Lincolnization” or “Peoriazation” of our archdiocese. Those seeking incardination are currently approved by the board of consulters and not the rest of the presbyterate. Incardinations could impact the future direction of the archdiocese. There are also religious communities who are more theologically conservative who would like to send priests here. Do we as a presbyterate have any voice in these decisions? Can we ask the diocese to demonstrate a need for bringing these priests in?
It was decided to put this issue back on the agenda after the September general meeting.
Mike Erwin reported that the group had met two days ago and four priests were present. Their next meeting is set for the 5th Wednesday of June. Mike found that the advice given by the convening board members at the last meeting was very helpful and that the group had a very productive meeting.
They are working on a document on priests’ rights and the do’s and don’ts when a priest is accused of sexual misconduct or abuse of a minor. They also want to compile list of lawyers who would be willing to work with priest who have been accused. They also want to plug in with the NFPC and Madison Priest Alliance initiatives in these areas. Archbishop Dolan’s announcement at the spring assembly to form a committee to examine the current diocesan investigation process from the perspective of the rights of priests was welcomed by the committee.
Mike would like to have drafts of the documents available for the September general meeting.
Brian Mason indicated an overall lack of interest in this issue as evidenced from registrations and the lack of response from those who had attended the focus session at the February meeting. Some on the convening board felt that many priests probably felt that their mission was accomplished by the letter that was sent to the Planning Commission. It was decided to disband this focus group for now.
Four people met on June 3rd. The principal concern that was voiced was over the operative theology of the Church – how does the bishop view it and how do we as priests view it?
This group has not met.
This group did not meet.
This group has been meeting through emails and phone calls. They have completed a draft of a proposal that needs to be sent out by Dave Cooper to the membership. This will be sent out by August.
Registration forms need to be sent out to all priests. They will include Brian Mason’s address for return of the form and dues.
The next meeting of the Convening Board will be held on Friday, July 9th at St. Roman’s from 10:30-12 noon.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Mason,
Secretary/Treasurer