Summary Report on the NFPC Consultation with Bishops Project
First Meeting - August 23-24, 1999 Second Meeting - August 7-8, 2000
First Meeting - August 23-24, 1999
 Present:
Most Rev. Stephen E. Blaire (Diocese of Stockton), Most Rev. Matthew H. Clark (Diocese of Rochester), Most Rev. Patrick R. Cooney (Diocese of Gaylord), Most Rev. Thomas V. Daily (Diocese of Brooklyn), Most Rev. James R. Hoffman (Diocese of Toledo), Most Rev. Richard C. Hanifen (Diocese of Colorado Springs), Most Rev. Raymond A. Lucker (Diocese of New Ulm), Most Rev. Michael Warfel (Diocese of Juneau), Most Rev. Rembert G. Weakland, OSB (Archdiocese of Milwaukee).
The purpose of this first meeting between the bishops and NFPC's executive committee was to discover mutual issues and concerns relative to effective presbyteral council functioning and to identify ways to be in partnership in order to influence the structures and processes of effective Councils.
The meeting began with a discussion of hopes and concerns regarding how presbyteral councils could be more effective as a consultative and governing entity in the diocese. From the discussion it was determined that it takes a high level of leadership, commitment, and communication between the bishop and presbyteral council members. From the bishops' point of view, what can the NFPC provide to enhance the process of assisting him in caring for the pastoral welfare of the people of God including his priests?
Six points became apparent as the bishops discussed their needs and concerns regarding council functioning: (1) clarity of purpose, (2) structure, (3) organizational purpose, (4) membership issues, (5) training, and (6) dealing with differences.
The NFPC exists as an agent to be effective in the following manner. It can provide: (1) meetings, (2) a source for networking, (3) workshops, and (4) a resource for print and personnel to the presbyteral council.
Two groups of bishops and executive committee members met to discuss the following issues:
- Describe best practices relative to:
- defining purpose
- developing structure
- organizational relationships
- training
- membership
- agendas
- structuring participation
- building commitment
- selecting issues for consultation
- Discuss how you lead your council
- How would you like to enhance council effectiveness
- Describe components of a manual.
Conclusion:
The perception of the NFPC has evolved from an advocacy to a consultative body. This shift in perception had aided the bishops' confidence in the NFPC and how it could become involved in presbyteral council development. The bishops request the following of the NFPC:
- address issues of national interest such as the priest shortage.
- continue /advance the work of council effectiveness
- become a clearinghouse of priests' opinions
- develop an ecclesiology as a foundation for priests' councils
- develop a manual for bishops, council chairs, and councils
- include themes for council development, such as evaluation, in Touchstone
- study a draft manual at the August 2000 bishops' meeting
- deal with leadership and what it means.
Second Meeting - August 7-8, 2000
Present:
Most Rev. Robert Banks (Diocese of Green Bay), Most Rev. Joseph Churn, CPPS (Diocese of Des Moines), Most Rev. Daniel DiNardo (Diocese of Sioux City), Cardinal Francis George, OMI (Archdiocese of Chicago), Most Rev. Raymond Goedert (Auxiliary, Archdiocese of Chicago), Most Rev. Bernard Harrington (Diocese of Winona), Most Rev. Thomas Kelly, OP (Archdiocese of Louisville), Most Rev. George Niederauer (Diocese of Salt Lake City).
The purpose of the second meeting was the same as the first. What was different was the specificity of the hopes and concerns of the group. It becomes clear that are not only speaking honestly and openly critical to the functioning of a presbyteral council, but also listening with an open heart, open mind. During the morning small-group discussions the bishops spoke about frustration they feel when the work of the council becomes adversarial, negligible, or parochial, when there is polarity among the priests and when it becomes difficult to distinguish between administration and mission. Seven topics were developed for further reflection in the afternoon.
The seven topics are:
- mission of the church and role of the presbyteral council
- clarity of purpose
- priorities
- responsibility for effectiveness
- characteristics of an effective council
- communication and climate of trust
- personalities and cultural differences.
At the afternoon joint gathering between the bishops and NFPC executive committee members two questions were asked: (1) What are some positive examples of "best practices?" and (2) What would you like to see happen? These questions were asked in reference to the above seven topics.
Current best practices in all areas of presbyteral council operation would include:
- having an annual orientation program for (new) council members
- identifying and ranking priorities (can be long range)
- overnights
- prayer
- recognition that a priests' council is one of three consultative bodies of diocesan governance
- recognizing that the mission of the church is to realize God's reign
- recognizing that priestly well-being is a constitutive element in operating effectively
- conversation, communication, dialog
- being self-critical and able to assess/evaluate effectiveness.
One of the primary purposes of the NFPC is to assist presbyteral councils. How can the NFPC bridge the gap between the theoretical and the practical? What bishops and priests as diocesan clerical leaders are looking for are practical ways in which the NFPC can assist councils in becoming more effective.
Conclusion:
Although there are a variety of models of ways presbyteral councils function, because of its history, the NFPC is in a prime position to assist bishops and priests in fulfilling their role in fulfilling the shared mission of the church. With that said, the bishops that the NFPC provide the following:
- an assessment/evaluation instrument
- to develop a handbook/workbook/assessment guide for councils
- develop a brochure which summarizes what makes for effective councils
- develop a new document that incorporates older insights as well as new ones
- develop teams to visit priests' councils to assist them in becoming more effective
Prepared by Alan Szafraniec from Process Summaries
December 1, 2000
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