Rationale: As Sisters of Charity of Nazareth we hold values in common which may be acted upon to live out our Charism and simultaneously to build the Reign of God. We also look for ways of furthering our Mission Statement and opportunities to bring about systemic change. Moreover, a corporate rather than an individual stance is more effective in addressing public policy or an issue calling for a public response.
Process for taking a Corporate Stance:
Step 1 An individual and/or group identifies and documents an issue for a corporate stance.
The issue should meet
the following criteria:
à
External
to the Congregation
à
Relevant
to the Mission Statement, Gospel and/or
Catholic Social Teachings
à
Affect
human rights and/or the integrity of creation
Step 2 Having met the criteria, the individual/group
brings the issue to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee
decides:
à
Does
the issue meet the criteria for a corporate stance?
à
Is
the issue appropriate for congregation-wide discernment?
Step 3 The Executive Committee appoints a
committee composed of:
à
Members
who have submitted the issue
à
Additional
persons if deemed appropriate
à
Director
of Office of Global Ministries as ex-officio member
A chairperson can be decided by the committee.
Step 4 The Executive Committee announces
the process to the congregation.
Step 5 The responsibilities of the
committee:
à
Prepare
and distribute a process and materials for theological reflection around the
issue to congregational members and associates
à
Prepare
and distribute the Corporate Stance for congregational members and associates
à
Prepare
a ballot.
Step 6 The committee distributes the
ballot to Congregational members after sufficient time has been provided for
study, reflection, discussion and prayer on the issue.
Step 7 Ballots are completed and returned
to the committee.
Step 8 A corporate stance is made if
returned ballots show a simple majority with a “yes”.
Step 9 The
Executive Committee:
à
Communicates
the results of the ballot to members and/or refer to Provinces (When
Congregation does not adopt as Corporate Stance, provinces are free to follow a
process for Provincial Corporate Stance)
à
Distributes
the Corporate Stance publicly
à
Promotes
continued education and advocacy with regard to the Corporate Stance through
the Office of Global Ministries
à
Monitors
the Corporate Stance on an ongoing basis
Revised
February 2013
