Saturday, February 18, 2006
MAPA Convening Board November 14, 2005
Our local priests' union's executive committee has posted the minutes of its meeting of November 14, 2005 [pdf].
Why break new ground when no one's sowing the seed?
You might think that since the flyer gives advice to their members, they'd be very concerned. But, for once, their hands are tied by the rubrics.
Therefore, no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the flyer on his own authority.
Presumably to help them with canon law issues, among other things.
At least they inflict inconclusive discussion on each other, and not just on the laity.
Next meeting December 13, 2005. ¶ 2/18/2006 07:18:00 AM
On the business agenda
Evaluation of "An Evening with Fr. Donald Cozzens": 28 of the brothers attended and though no new ground was broken it was a good event. We did get some ink in the Catholic Herald.
Why break new ground when no one's sowing the seed?
We spent a considerable amount of time discussing a response to Fr. Paul Hartmann's letter to the Priests' Rights Group requesting that our flyer on protecting your rights as a priest be made more canonically correct. He claimed that there are a number of inaccuracies in the flyer as sent out.
You might think that since the flyer gives advice to their members, they'd be very concerned. But, for once, their hands are tied by the rubrics.
The discussion focused on Fr. Mike Sturm's point that since the membership voted acceptance of the flyer at a General Meeting this now belonged to the Alliance and not to the Priests' Rights Focus Group.
Therefore, no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the flyer on his own authority.
There was some consensus that our flyer was not meant to be a canonical document but a guide to help priests.
Presumably to help them with canon law issues, among other things.
Our discussion was inconclusive and we did not agree on whether or how to respond to Fr. Hartmann.
At least they inflict inconclusive discussion on each other, and not just on the laity.
In the committee reports, the attempt to co-opt younger priests is going slowly.
Generations of Priests -- Ken Mich sent out email and had only two responses. He will continue to pursue the topic.
Next meeting December 13, 2005. ¶ 2/18/2006 07:18:00 AM
