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Press Release - NFPC Convention 2007
PRESS RELEASE National Federation of Priests’ Councils
333 N. Michigan Ave. · Suite 1205 · Chicago, IL 60601
(888) 271-NFPC · FAX (312) 442-9709 · www.nfpc.org
For Immediate Release
For information contact:
Vic Doucette (312) 442-9700
doucette@nfpc.org
April 26, 2007
Priest Councils Leadership Pursue Needed Unity to Accomplish Christ’s Mission
In its 39th gathering of priest-leaders from around the US and several English-speaking countries, the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, in prayer, presentation, discussion and sharing of 000.fellowship sought insights and practical paths to recognize the great need of bishops and priests to embrace as a priority the building of unity among the priests in their diocese, many who reflect a multiplicity of ages, theologies, and diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Under the theme “Many Gifts, One Body: Intentional and International Presbyterates,” and framed by banners highlighting their roles as Preacher, Mediator, Reconciler, Teacher, Comforter and Shepherd, the priests gathered to wrestle with the obstacles and raise up the benefits of achieving presbyterates unified in the common mission of Jesus Christ.
Father Richard Vega, a priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese and current president of the NFPC, called the convention to order, pointing out the beginning of a new chapter in the organizational structure of NFPC. Setting the tone of the convention, he emphasized, “We are a country of immigrants all seeking their place at the table, desiring to add their gifts to this country and to the mission of Jesus Christ as lived out here.” In the midst of distrust and suspicion of those who are new to our country and to our presbyterates, he challenged those gathered to attend to hospitality and welcoming to both newly ordained and to those who are joining our presbyterates from other countries so that we might speak with a “common voice” and share a “common vision.” “NFPC is committed to this conversation, to fostering leadership and recognizing the multiplicity of gifts” that all of our brothers long to bring to the table.
Father Ron Knott, a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville and founding director of the St. Meinrad School Institute of Theology, Institute for Priests and Presbyterates, offered an enlightening presentation titled, “Say ‘No’ to ‘Private Practice’; Say ‘No’ to Tribalism; Say ‘Yes’ to ‘Intimate Sacramental Brotherhoods’ for Service.” Fr. Knott, the author of Intentional Presbyterates: Claiming Our Common Sense of Purpose (Sophronismos Press, 2003), and From Seminarian to Diocesan Priest: Managing a Successful Transition (Sophronismos Press, 2005), emphasized that we need to move beyond priest cliques to instead form “teams of priests who “come together” so as to be strengthened for “going out,” offering unified, coherent and effective service to the people of God.”
Presbyteral brotherhood, he claimed, is essential to the success of the mission. “Even though priests are assigned to different duties, they still carry on one priestly ministry… no priest can in isolation or single-handedly accomplish his mission in a satisfactory way.” He posed three questions for reflection:
• How did we evolve into the presbyterates we are today?
• Can we imagine ourselves being any different as presbyterates than we are now?
• Assuming we can imagine a dynamic presbyterate led by a capable bishop, how do we get there?
He noted that over generations there has been a collapse of collegial unity prompted by geographical separation, the medieval benefice system, the post-Reformation emphasis on celebrating Eucharist privately, and lack of a unified vision from bishops. Neglect of an environment, which creates lone rangers and tribes, will continue to favor division and invite more and more problems.
Fr. Knott suggests that bishops need to highlight not only ongoing individual formation, but also “formation of priests in their unity…. Priests want - no, crave - good shepherds whose voices they can trust to lead them to unity of purpose, not barking sheep dogs snapping at their heels,” he said. Bishops need formation in how to lead a unified presbyterate. He notes that very few priests have ever indicated to him that they were trained in how to take their place in presbyterates. He also emphasized that there is minimal or no training in our “other promise” of obedience, which is “a promise to be a team player with the bishop and with each other.” Such training needs to begin in seminary.
“There is no program to make presbyteral unity happen.” It must be the deliberate choice of bishops and priests to pursue. It is the individual commitment for each priest to name and actively oppose the countercultural influences that prevent them from working with others. It is a collective commitment to remember “who we are, what we’re about, and where we’re going,” and to do the hard and necessary work to get there.
Father John Kemper, a member of the Society of St. Sulpice which is dedicated to the initial and ongoing formation of priests, a published author and seminary professor, presented a talk “From a Sending Church to a Receiving Church: A New Optic of Change and Challenge.” The focus of his presentation was on the necessary integration of priests coming from other countries into local presbyterates as part of the task of achieving presbyteral unity. There are currently 6000 international priests in the US, comprising at least 16% of the priests in most dioceses.
Fr. Kemper approached the issue from the perspective of: 1) the bishop who is trying to respond to an aging priesthood and priest shortage; 2) the international priest himself who is often making a difficult transition from one culture to another very different culture; 3) the local presbyterate who do not readily work to help the new person integrate into a local presbyteral culture; and, 4) the people in the pews who often struggle with language and other cultural differences that someone may bring with them.
He emphasized that bishops “need to be proactive rather than reactive, to create and implement protocols to help both the international priest integrate and the local presbyterate welcome and embrace the unique gifts that a priest may bring,” to be “pastor and shepherd to his priests, especially his international priests.”
The international priest himself may experience prejudice, institutional racism, and a sense of being excluded. He must be given every opportunity to learn how to be part of the US Church and local presbyteral culture through “an acculturation process, reflection on leadership styles, collaboration (especially with women), financial management, rectory life. Mentoring is also key in proper integration. The priest may also need help in relational and language skills as he seeks to “catch the local spirit” of a parish and diocese.
For the local presbyterate, there is a need to understand the culture from which someone is coming, what they are giving up by coming here, and a realization that a brother priest brings gifts which need to be honored and welcomed. “We need to give them the time and attention they need as brother priests and coworkers in the vineyard of the Lord,” Fr. Kemper said.
Monsignor Edward Burns, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and current executive director of the Secretariat for Vocations, Priestly Formation and Priestly Life and Ministry for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops offered a presentation on the reorganization of the US Catholic Conference. Highlighting a history of US bishops’ gatherings since 1783, he summarized the current restructuring, which will give more focused and achievable priorities, and help reduce overall costs to individual dioceses. The five priority issues of the USCCB from 2008-2011 will be 1) Implementation of the pastoral initiative on marriage; 2) Faith formation focused on sacramental practice; 3) Priestly and religious vocations; 4) Life and dignity of the human person; and 5) Recognition of cultural diversity in the Church, especially pastoral care of Hispanics. He was clear that the priority of evangelization needs to weave itself throughout each of these issues.
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of Saginaw, Mich. and chairman of the US Bishops’ Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, then engaged those gathered in dialogue. Of note were comments: that bishops need to be “spiritual fathers and bridge builders.” We need to develop “a culture sensitive to vocations and key in that is the invitation of priests, mothers and fathers.” Bishops and priests need to be “good listeners” and feel the freedom and invitation to dialogue.
At the convention banquet on Thursday evening, the NFPC presented its Touchstone Award to all international priests serving in the United States.
Prepared by Father Larry Dowling, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and editor of Upturn, the bimonthly journal of the Association of Chicago Priests.
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