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Statement on the Importance of the Voice of Diocesan Clergy to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
During these challenging days in the life of the Church in the United States, the National Federation of Priests’ Councils (NFPC) recognizes the demands and financial restrictions placed upon the members of the US Bishops Conference in examining, evaluating and reorganizing the structure of the standing committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Given the importance of that step, we would like to affirm the value of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee. The NFPC, as a national voice for presbyteral councils and priests of the United States, has worked in close collaboration with the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, raising significant issues affecting our shared ministry, providing feedback, speaking with a prophetic voice and especially in efforts to create and maintain dialogue between diocesan priests and their bishops. We believe that this role and necessary dialogue would be diminished or damaged by the conflation of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee with the Committee for Consecrated Life.
We deeply value the voice of communities of religious, following and living their charisms with generosity and faith; yet their voice is distinct from the voice and experience of diocesan clergy. Therefore, we respectfully ask that the decision to reorganize the standing committees of the USCCB ensure the voice of the diocesan clergy of our nation not be lost as we seek to proclaim the gospel and fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ together.
Approved by the NFPC Board of Directors in consultation with the Council of Consultors
October 2006
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