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National
Representative Council Update
The National Representative Council has been extremely
busy keeping up with all the resolutions and proposals
that have been put forward since our last Council meeting.
Currently, the NRC is soliciting comments from all
VOTF members on three different proposals: the Goal
2 Working Group Proposal for a study of mandatory celibacy
and the “state of the priesthood and its ability
to meet the needs of the faithful” (see text
below); a resolution about renewed and increased support
of survivors; and two resolutions which center on financial
accountability.
The first of the financial accountability proposals
calls for sound financial management systems, policies
and procedures on both the parish and diocesan levels,
spelled out in detail. The second calls for the writing
of a “White Paper” to assist and motivate
lay Catholics to participate in instituting financial
accountability and identify basic Church financial
references and “best practices.”
As comments on these resolutions are collated, the
Council is also discussing a resolution proposed by
the officers which relates to the balance of where
decision making should take place for particular issues,
i.e., in the local/regional affiliate or on the national
level. A thorough analysis, both structural and philosophical,
from as many sectors of VOTF as possible, is being
sought.
Many Council regions are also in the midst of elections.
The first Council representatives were elected in 2005
for two-year terms, so about two-thirds of the members
are now facing expired terms. (The other third have
been elected sometime since 2005 to replace original
reps who resigned due to illness or other reasons.)
The next semi-annual Council meeting will be held
in the Boston area the last weekend in April. Developing
the agenda for this meeting is also a current priority
in Council discussions! Watch for more details in future
issues of the Vineyard.
At this time, about half of our Council representatives
have indicated that the proposal below has been sent
to their regional membership. If you have not received
the proposal, contact your representative (click here
to identify your representative). If you have received
it, please let your voice be heard by contacting your
representative with your support or your opposition
to the proposal. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTING ON
THE PROPOSAL IS March 12. The two-part proposal itself is in bold.
The Goal Two National Working Group for Priest Support
therefore asks the National Representative Council
to approve a resolution calling for an ecclesiastical
review of mandated celibacy, and to seek the concurrence
of the National Officers and the Board of Trustees.
The National Working Group for Goal Two: Priest Support
proposes that Voice of the Faithful, as a national
organization and reform movement, add its voice to
those individuals and groups presently calling for
an ecclesiastical review of mandated celibacy as a
requirement of ordination to the diocesan priesthood
in the Latin rite.
The Working Group's research on this matter indicates
that there is a mounting body of evidence regarding
mandated celibacy and its impacts upon our Church at
this time.
An ecclesiastical review commissioned by and under
the auspices of the Holy See is the optimal setting
in which such a review can take place. In such a
setting, the longstanding and respected practice
of priestly
celibacy will be honored. At the same time, mandated
celibacy's effects, for better or worse, upon the
ability of the Church to fulfill its mission
in the 21st century, can be thoroughly explored.
We also ask the National Representative Council to
approve a resolution endorsing a nationwide educational
effort on the State of the Priesthood and its Ability
to Meet the Needs of the Faith Community, as planned
and implemented by the Goal Two Working Group for Priest
Support, and to seek the concurrence of the National
Officers and the Board of Trustees for this effort.
This resolution should also include approval for the
appointment of an Oversight Panel, as described below.
We also advocate that VOTF promote a conversation
among the faithful, nationwide, exploring the current
state of the priesthood and its ability to meet the
needs of the faith community. Such a conversation could
be facilitated through seminars and forums at the regional
and national levels. This exploration would cover a
range of issues, including topics such as workload,
morale, financial security, the impacts of mandated
celibacy, justice for priests, pastoral practices,
and the decline in vocations to the priesthood.
It is our belief as a Working Group that the actions
described above are the best ways for VOTF to address
our commitment to our second goal, Priest Support.
Responsibility for the planning and implementation
of this educational effort will be undertaken by the
Goal Two National Working Group. For this effort, the
Working Group will not request allocation of organizational
dollars.
We request the appointment of a three member panel,
consisting of one trustee, one officer, and one member
of the National Representative Council, to provide
organizational oversight of this effort, as well as
to signal to our membership that this effort is endorsed
by national VOTF leadership.
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