Bulletin #25 | Greetings from Seattle

Association of US Catholic Priests

PO BOX 263 | Calumet City, IL 60409

Bulletin #25

Day 1, 2013 ASSEMBLY in Seattle

Chair Dave Cooper opened the 2nd annual Assembly of the AUSCP leading all in the praying of the Vatican II prayer with which all Board meetings begin.

BOARD ELECTIONS Dave introduced the current Board, noting two new members whom the Board had appointed to fill needs developed since the last Assembly. He announced the retiring of Len Dubi and Bob Cushing from Board service at this time. He explained that the entire membership will be involved in the election of persons to replace them. A common template will be prepared by the candidates and distributed to all members for their vote. The Board can have as many as 15 members.

Dave next introduced Jackie O'Ryan as our Managing Director, explaining that she will be part-time until September. Jackie was previously profiled in our bulletin of June 10.

Frank Eckart, AUSCP's Treasurer, next reviewed AUSCP's financial status using two forms published in the Assembly program. The first is a profit-/loss statement stretching from 9/1/2011 through June 2, 2013. It showed a total income of $253,136 with a total expenditure of $105,135, leaving the organization with a balance on June 2 of $148,001. He noted that more income derived from Contributing Memberships than from Basic ones and thanked all who had so supported AUSCP. The matching grant challenge announced last year brought in $26,810 against the $20,000 challenge. The positive overall balance has enabled AUSCP to engage it's first staff - Jackie.

Frank then reviewed the Profit/Loss for January 1, 2013 through June 2. It shows income of $71,016 and expenses of $32,625 for a balance of $38,391. He noted that AUSCP will suffer a loss from this Assembly due to a lower attendance than projected and budgeted. Members need to keep up with their annual calendar year dues to keep the organization strong.

CONSENSUS PROCESS for Acting on RESOLUTIONS:

Dave next introduced Doug Doussan, priest of New Orleans, who walked the Assembly through a carefully worked out consensus process to be used in the Business meeting to act on the 15 Resolutions introduced by the membership.

The process requires an initial weighted rating by each member "in favor" or "resistant" as regards each resolution. During the Assembly all present will have time to share their initial sentiment in small groups. 15 persons will be given time to comment before the Assembly, allowing for an array of perspectives sufficient for all present to understand the resolution with its potential positive benefits and/or negative consequences. After that all present will again mark their weighted decision 'in favor' or 'resistant' and the ballots will be tallied. Only resolutions achieving an average 1.5 'in favor' rating will be considered adopted by the Assembly. The results of the balloting will be entrusted to the Board for ratification, processing and publication.

Considerable time was spent discussing the process. It was noted that the vote is not so much an expression of personal sentiment but a judgment about whether AUSCP as an organization should at this time adopt the resolutions as the Association's stance and agenda. In the end the Assembly judged the process to be well thought out and a basis for unified action.

INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS In his opening remarks, Dave had introduced a representative of the Australian Priests Association who was with us. Ten-minute live SKYPE conferences had been arranged with leaders of the Irish Priests Association and the Austrian Priests Initiative. Their representatives kindly stayed up quite late to share with us.

The Irish had just published a report resulting from a round of formal visits with all diocesan Presbyteral Councils. Their Association is taken seriously in the country but 'the bishops don't know what to make of them' in that they are an independent body, something new in the Church. The bishops don't know whether to talk with them or not. As in the U.S., the membership at this point consists largely of older priests. A sister lay organization has been formed.

Skype visit with Helmut Schuller, Austria

The Austrian group recently sent a letter to Pope Francis encouraging him on his first 100 days of service. They thanked him for speaking clearly about the situation of the Church in a new language of faith and with a simplicity of example which gives many signals of hope. The letter expressed the Austrians' hope that his personal example will enable him also to impact the structures and system of the Church. Helmut Schuller, the group's leader, commented on the importance of international networking by priests and suggested the possibility of the various national Associations paying a joint visit to the Pope.

Asked about his forthcoming U.S. tour, he explained that he wants to meet priests and laity and to share experiences. His message will be the message of Vatican II. "We must not betray the people of God," he said. "We must fight for respect of their gifts and their dignity and their fundamental rights." Asked if he is a priest in good standing, Schuller said that he has many official responsibilities, including a pastorate. So yes, he is in good standing! He said he is not concerned about protest because it generates publicity.

The Assembly applauded both exchanges.

DAY 1 of the 2013 Assembly concluded with a delicious barbecue style meal, a Liturgy of Lament led by Bob Cushing, and a Social. As last year, the Lament session was rich. It will be shared once the transcription from newsprint is completed.

Mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius,
Seattle University

AUSCP's Mission Statement

The Board recently updated our Mission Statement in light of AUSCP's By-laws. The following formulation now appears on the AUSCP website.

AUSCP is a forum where priests across the United States can relate to one another and foster dialogue with clergy, bishops, religious, laity, and with their organizations. We continue to celebrate and implement the visionary concepts of the Second Vatican Council; to be servant leaders in a servant Church; to minister with humility, mercy, and faithfulness; to revitalize the Body of Christ through contemplation and witness to the goodness among our fellow pilgrims; to be a voice of hope; and to preach and act prophetically.

Your AUSCP Leadership Team

AUSCP Mission Statement

We are an association of U.S. Catholic priests, offering mutual support and a collegial voice. We are engaged in contemplation, dialogue, and prophetic action on issues affecting Church and society.

Association of US Catholic Priests
PO Box 263
Calumet City, Illinois 60409