OUR RIGHT TO EXIST
The Society’s right to exist as a Catholic lay association is set out in Canon Law. However, we cannot do so without permission. We are allowed as a Catholic lay organization to serve within the diocese at the pleasure of and with the support of the Bishop. The Bishop has the right and authority to invite us to operate in his diocese as well as the right and authority to tell us to close up shop and leave. This holds true at the parish level as well. A Conference operates in the parish with the permission of the Pastor. It is extremely important to the Society that Council and Conference Presidents maintain an excellent relationship with the Bishop and Pastors in the Diocese. More so, it is the responsibility of the President to ensure that the relationship is a good one.
REGULAR REPORTING
The Bishop should be furnished with a full report of our activities, our results and our goals at least annually in a personal visit by the Council President. It should include ALL of our service by Conferences and Councils that exist within the Diocese. It should also include our National Consolidated Annual Report so the Bishop can assess our total impact and compare his Diocese to the rest of the dioceses in the country. As with the Bishop, the Pastor of a parish where a Conference exists should be furnished with a summary report of our activities and results at least annually in a personal visit by the Conference President. Quarterly, would be better if the Pastor has time. The Parishioners who support our work should have at least an annual report of how their money was used. This can be done in the parish bulletin or some similar method.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
The Bishop and/or Pastor should be informed immediately of any incident that occurs that could result in significant harmful conflict or publicity. The Bishop and/or Pastor should never be placed in the role of having to clean up our mess. The Society should be proactive (after consulting with the Bishop and/or Pastor where appropriate) in dealing with any situation that comes up. Bishops and Pastors expect the Society to operate on its own, only keeping them informed where necessary. Resolve all differences with the Clergy no matter how small as soon as possible in a spirit of cooperation and common goal.
