Speaker Policy for the Diocese of La Crosse

RATIONALE

• Canon 386 §2 requires the Diocesan Bishop to defend the integrity and unity of the faith.

• Speaker approval avoids difficult situation of having to dis-invite someone.

BASIC IDEA

• Speakers who are being considered to give a presentation on faith and morals on Church property must be approved by the Diocesan Bishop before an invitation is extended.

• Catholic parishes and schools cannot promote or sponsor a speaker unless he or she is approved (even if the presentation is not being given on church property)

TO WHICH SPEAKERS THE POLICY APPLIES

• Any speaker under consideration to give a presentation on matters of faith and morals who do not fall in the exempt category below

SPEAKERS WHO DO NOT NEED APPROVAL

(i.e. those who are exempt) INCLUDE:

• Cardinals and Bishops in communion with the Holy See

• Those who hold appointed or staff positions in the Diocese of La Crosse:

+Priests/Deacons of the Diocese of La Crosse who are in good standing

+Staff of Diocesan Institutions (whether paid or volunteer) including:

Pastoral Associates/Pastoral Ministers

Campus Ministers

Parish Staff

Catechists

School Teachers/Administrators,

• Members of other Catholic institutions officially in the Diocese of La Crosse, including:

+Members of Religious communities, Catholic colleges/universities, hospitals, etc., officially established in the Diocese or officially allowed to be in the Diocese

PROCEDURE

• Before a firm invitation is extended to the speaker (preliminary contacts, checking availability, etc., are OK), a request must be submitted to the Office of the Bishop from the inviting party.

• Will have to include:

1)         A completed Cover Letter Request form from the inviting party, which includes the speaker’s name and topic(s). It should attest to the speaker’s fidelity to the Magisterium, and the conformity of the topic to the pastoral direction of the Diocese.

 

2)         A curriculum vitae for the speaker.

 3)         In the case of a lay person:

·        A letter of support from the speaker’s pastor establishing that he is a Catholic in good standing.

In the case of a cleric/religious:

·        A letter of support from the speaker’s superior/ordinary attesting that the speaker is a cleric/religious in good standing.

4)         A cleric must also have a celebret, indicating he has permission to celebrate the sacraments outside of his diocese.

5)         College or university professors should provide a mandatum from their bishop, if they have one.  If not, please indicated that they do not have one.

6)         If the speaker is not a Catholic, the curriculum vitae should be accompanied by written assurance that the speaker’s presentation will not conflict with Catholic teaching in any way.

EFFECTIVE DATE

·       July 25, 2005

·       Anyone already booked before that date does not need to go through the process (however, that person will have to go through the process if and when they are considered in the future)

Summary Prepared by:

The Chancery Office

September 2005