Executive Committee Resolutions
The three proposed
Position Statements failed to receive the required majority to pass.
However, the Executive Committee proposed and the body gathered
accepted the following two Executive Committee Resolutions (ECR).
ECR 2008/1
Vote: 93.97%; for 109; against 4; abstain 3. total
votes 116
The Eucharist is
central to the life of the Church.
In obedience to the dominical command, the Church has gathered on
the Lord’s Day, to celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass) for over
two millennia. In this
ancient practice, we encounter the living God, are nourished by his word
and sacrament, and build his Church.
In the past several
decades, many dioceses in the United States have faced the growing
reality of parishes without resident priests.
Various models of leadership have emerged thanks to the varied
gifts of the Spirit. But
the declining number of ordained presbyters has forced bishops and
parish communities to develop ways to ensure that the faithful have an
opportunity to worship on the Lord’s Day.
Often, a priest travels to serve several parishes; in other cases
parish communities raise up trained and authorized leaders of prayer to
lead them in Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest.
There are unintended consequences to these practices, including
declining attendance at worship and an impoverishment of Catholic
identity.
We applaud recent
efforts by national organizations, which have provided research and have
engaged the country in regional and national discussions on this matter.
We especially recognize the work of the Catholic Extension
Society and Catholic Home Mission Society, who have invited bishops of
mission dioceses and others to reflect on possible future Catholic
praxis.
Resolution
1.
The delegates to the 2008 National Meeting of Diocesan Liturgical
Commissions
2.
are resolved that this dialogue concerning the importance of
Sunday Eucharist must continue.
3.
We ask that the Chair of the Board of Directors write a letter of
support
to those national organizations.
4.
The letter should further express the FDLC’s interest
5.
in participating in this dialogue,
6.
particularly regarding the liturgical formation of the faithful
7.
and the importance of regular celebrations of Sunday Eucharist
8.
as central to the faith of God’s holy people.
ECR 2008/2
Vote: 94.92 %; for 112; against 1; abstain 1;
total votes 118.
[T]he hour is coming,
and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit
and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God
is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth. (Jn
4: 23-24)
Resolution
1.
We, the delegates of the 2008 National Meeting of Diocesan
Liturgical Commissions,
2.
believe that “the hour is coming, and is now here” for us, as
a Federation,
3.
to make a more intentional effort to advance the dialogue on
multicultural and intercultural liturgy.
4.
Therefore, we are committed to examine the complex and
multifaceted subject of culture and the liturgy.
5.
We are resolved to support, encourage, and learn from the efforts
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Task Force on
Cultural Diversity and the BCDW.
6.
and are resolved to call forth and listen to all voices because
they are vital to our membership and discussions.
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