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National Federation of Priests’ Councils 2007 Convention
President's Address
 Rev. Richard Vega
April 26, 2007
The phrase that describes my transition into the presidency of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils has been a protracted “Advent Season.” A period and time of expectation; a period of waiting to see how things will unfold; a period of being vigilant and attentive so that I might be responsive to what is before me. My Advent season began when we as a House of Delegates voted last year to approve the first major changes to our constitution in NFPC’s 38-year history. As we moved to a new form of governance with the formation of the Council of Consultors and a new Board of Directors, I wondered about the period of transition and how the Consultors and I would respond to the new challenges that lay before us. Our gathering last September reaffirmed our organizational commitment to our mission statement and its goals and objectives of responding to the needs and concerns of presbyteral councils and priests throughout our country. The waiting continues as we move through the second and third phase of the transition, which will be completed in June 2009.
The next element that called for a “wait and see attitude” was the transition at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. After my first meeting with the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, the call for reorganization came forth; another call to remain vigilant and attentive to the movement about to take place. The call came forth for the merger between Consecrated Life, Vocations, and Clergy––in its full expression: bishop, priest and deacon. It was a moment to reflect upon the unique character of diocesan priesthood. Recognizing the unique charisms, gifts, and place of consecrated life in the life of the Church, NFPC must strive to preserve the unique voice and prophetic role of the diocesan priesthood. The conference has named five priorities, only one touches our lives in a direct manner––the issue of vocations. The concerns of the diocesan priest as expressed by NFPC cannot be lost in the shuffle and myriad of clamoring voices that seek attention from the conference on issues that are of significance to us as an organization.
I appreciate Bishop Carlson’s comments on his role as chairman of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee. It is good to hear his desire of not losing the significant participation of the liaisons that have contributed so much in the past to the lives of priests. In an attempt at remaining vigilant and ready to respond at the invitation to rejoin the conversation with the bishops I have already been in conversation with the leadership of the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC), National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA), Region Eleven Council of Priests’ Senates (RECOPS), and Priests’ Councils of New York (PCNY). In maintaining ties with these organizations, identified by Fr. Clete Kiley to the Plans and Priorities Committee as making a substantial contribution to issues regarding priesthood, I am hoping to ensure a continuous and current conversation in the period of transition. Consensus among the groups mentioned is that we need to remain vigilant, alert and ready to respond when the invitation is made anew.
Activity at the diocesan level also invites a stance of vigilance. As I indicated earlier, the downsizing at the conference sought to identify five priorities rather than the conference being document or committee driven. In the various comments one cannot fail to acknowledge the financial impact the conference was hoping to achieve. Diocesan bishops want to control the growth by financial constraints because dioceses are downsizing on the home front. The impact of this action is still unknown. Again, a stance of waiting to see is required. What I have gleaned from the annual National Leadership Forum gathering is that national organizations, similar to NFPC, across the board are feeling the effects of diocesan budget cuts and constraints. If national organizations do not have a direct impact on diocesan life, bishops are eliminating them from their budgets.
NFPC is rich in its history of pioneering issues that have confronted the church in the last four decades; whether it be the rights of priests, the call for social justice in the work place, the need for continuing education for ourselves, the role and place of women in the church, a response to the shortage of clergy, or in the present challenge of the role of international presbyterate as our co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard. NFPC in its history has attempted to respond prophetically, creatively, constructively and positively to the challenges that transform our grasp and understanding of who we are as Church. The time has come for us as an organization and as a presbyterate to awaken from the stupor that I believe has engulfed us. We need to reclaim the leadership that is rightfully ours and to speak anew the prophetic vision, which is rightfully ours as collaborators with the bishop with regard to the pastoral welfare of the flock entrusted to our care. As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary, it is my hope that we as delegates to this convention and as presbyteral leaders can begin to enunciate the work and accomplishments of NFPC at our Presbyteral Councils and regional and provincial gatherings. I want NFPC to be nationally recognized by every priest, bishop throughout the country. Every gathering of presbyteral leadership should have a report on the agenda. The voice of NFPC can only be heard if you and I speak. The impact on diocesan life has been made and will continue to be made, and yet like the gospel itself, we leave like the woman from the tomb on the day of the resurrection: saying nothing to no one. We must rouse ourselves from the slumber and tell the good news.
My travels to presbyteral gatherings for nearly a year has been invigorating and enlightening for me as a priest and as president of the Federation. I find that priests in general are content and happy with their decision to be priests. Given the opportunity the great majority of us would again make the decision to choose priesthood as our vocation and commitment in life. Yet as Msgr. Edward Burns indicated yesterday, surprisingly few of us would consider inviting others to join us on this path. When questioned as to why individuals take this stance a single theme appears to emerge: a lack of leadership and no clear vision for tomorrow. In casting blame we as members of Presbyteral Councils often fail to take seriously are call to be prophetic and visionary. As Ron Knott challenged us, we are engulfed in tribal clashes in championing “authentic truth” and so forsake our prophetic and reconciling voice.
As we prepare for the Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Summit in 2008: I find myself drawn to reclaim NFPC’s voice as leader and prophet in challenging times. The Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership calls us to be attentive and alert; to read the signs of the times and to be responsive. The symposia conducted over the last three years speak of the centrality of the Eucharist within our communities of faith, of men and women eager to offer their lives in faithful service to the Lord in celebration of their baptismal commitment, eager to deepen their relationship to the Lord through prayer, and who seek authentic leaders who can love and feed them. The clergy shortage and the growing ranks of lay ecclesial ministers invite us to be vigilant in reading the signs of the time so that a proper response can be given. The findings of the symposia clearly indicated a desire and love for priests. Communities are actively seeking priests to carve out their niche in this complex and changing landscape we call ministry. Lay ecclesial ministers desirous that we take on the role of “episcopoi” that is rightfully ours. Lay leaders seeking “overseers” offering authentic vision and leadership in establishing communities of faith with priests as collaborators.
Another neglected voice within our warring tribes is the call for financial accountability and transparency. The call has come forth in news reports from across the country and from the USCCB itself. A few dioceses have responded to the call but the great majority has not been attentive to the potential disaster looming ahead. Here again, our Presbyteral Councils can offer authentic leadership and be collaborative with Finance Councils as we seek to be stewards of God’s gifts and the generosity of the people of God. NFPC is relevant and can impact all of our dioceses if we as presbyteral councils authentically exercise our leadership. I recognize that many of the concerns I have named are unstable and in flux. They are outside of my control as president. However, heeding the words of Paul to the early Christian community I must not neglect the work of daily life. I must be busy about living life. As president of NFPC I believe that the Board of Directors, the Council of Consultors and I are called to be proactive in what I have termed the Advent Period. As a national organization we must be prepared to respond once the day dawns and a clarity of visions breaks forth upon the horizon.
For this reason I have advocated the hiring of a Development Director to the Board of Directors for the upcoming fiscal year. If we hope to grow and succeed as an organization, financial stability must be a priority. The National Leadership Roundtable Association is currently advocating the search for new funding sources other than diocesan coffers. It is their conviction that diocesan funding sources will be in short supply for national organizations’ concerns and issues. This action may possibly bring changes and ramifications not fully comprehended today by our organization. My plan is to secure our voice and place for the future of Presbyteral Councils and diocesan priests. The bell has been rung––we cannot pretend to say we did not hear it or that we did not heed its call because it was not meant for me.
To ensure this stability I am hoping to craft a plan with our new Development Director and our Development Committee that looks to securing a $5 million endowment for NFPC. By the time we gather for our 40th anniversary I hope to present a program that invites priests of the organization to make a commitment to the future of our organization. The plan will also include a component that invites the laity to assist the NFPC in addressing the unique issues and concerns of priests. Yes! I am aware of the sorry state of the database which delivers our appeals to priests throughout the country. We have already begun to address that issue and hope to have a response by Labor Day in anticipation of our next appeal.
To reclaim our impact on Presbyteral Councils I will be in contact with the Council of Consultors. I believe that strategic plan under review by the Consultors will address this concern in a fuller manner. My immediate goal is to make the name of NFPC recognizable and our goals and objectives known to those within presbyteral circles. Among the ideas is following through on Ron Knott’s recommendation that we take more seriously Canon 245.2 and assist fourth-year students or deacons with their role in the presbyteral assembly and engaging in the issues and concerns of NFPC before leaving the seminary. NFPC will seek dialogue with other national organizations and groups that deal with international priests and the role of presbyteral councils in the life of the diocese.
As I indicated previously, I will be conversation with other priests’ groups about greater collaboration especially in those areas where there is natural overlap and mutual concern. Of particular concern will be NOCERCC and NACPA whose original goals were intimately tied to our own at the time of their founding. In conversation with them, they too are wrestling with the same issues. In these times of limited resources and financial constraints we should be supportive of one another. Some might comment that the plan I have laid out is too ambitious; more than I can possibly chew, perhaps even unrealistic. In my third year of college I worked the graveyard shift that summer, 11p.m. to 7 a.m.; the most difficult hours being 2 to 4 in the morning. If I sat too long at lunch I began to doze, I needed activities to stay awake. I need more than one strategy for staying awake. To remain awake, vigilant, and responsive in this Advent period there must be activities that engage the whole person while awaiting the rising of the sun. Clarity may not appear on some issues for a time. The daily work of NFPC must continue to move forward with Presbyteral Councils, bishops and priests; of providing advocacy for priests on issues that are of concern to us. And yet we need to be prepared for the unexpected. The gospel indicates that the master will be happy who finds his servant ready whether he comes at the first, second or third watch. As I begin my watch with the presidency of NFPC, I want to make sure that we are not caught asleep or flatfooted. NFPC must be the vigilant sentinel prepared for the long night, which may obscure and hide issues, concerns and challenges not easily perceptible to us; yet they call forth a response from the treasure of our resources for the service of Presbyteral Councils and priests throughout the country.
Thank you for your attention.
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