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CORPUS is a faith community affirming an inclusive priesthood rooted in a reformed and renewed Church.
CORPUS, celebrating forty-four years of service to the people of God, is one of the oldest reform groups in the Catholic Church, and is active in reform movements both in the U.S. and abroad. We are committed to working for a renewed priesthood of married and single men and women dedicated to serving God through the Community of Believers.
Petition to Reinstate Rev. Roy Bourgeois
PLEASE SEND TO YOUR BISHOP AND ROME
FIND YOUR BISHOP"S ADDRESS CLICK HERE
The Corpus Executive Council is very pleased to present this petition for reinstating Rev. Roy Bourgeois — who is being unjustly punished for preaching at a woman’s ordination. He told the Vatican that it was against his conscience to say that he did not believe in the ordination of women. Because Corpus is on record for favoring the restoration of a married priesthood in the Western Church, and for reviving the ordination of women in the Catholic Communion of Churches, we ask Pope Francis to follow the majority of Catholics who stand in solidarity with Rev. Bourgeois.
John and Maureen Sheehan, Gloria Durka, Paul Bumbar, Jim Ewens, John Shankey
HONOR OUR DECEASED BROTHERS AND SISTERS
During this month of November, let us remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their eternal rest during this year and for all the deceased who have champion the CORPUS vision of a renewed and inclusive priesthood.
We know that we do not have a complete list of all who have died. We could use your help. Through the years many of you have sent obituaries or alerted us to someone who has passed away. If you know of anyone who has not been included on our CORPUS web site, send their name to us. Still better, if you have any information such as obituary, biographical sketch and/or a picture send it along.
Send to:
Stuart O’Brien
2 Adamian Drive
North Falmouth, MA 02556
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To read all the names of those who died 2017-2018 click below.
A message from CORPUS' Co-Chairpersons
We are writing to inform you that our three year term, as Co-Chairs of CORPUS, expires on December 31, 2018. After prayerful deliberation, we have chosen not to run for re-election. We are appealing to you, our members, to run for office or to nominate candidates to fill the position of Chairperson so that the work of the past three years can continue to grow.
In the last three years, we have
Completed a Survey of our members
Established a Planning Committee to develop a Three-Year Plan.
Set up an enhanced communication system with Constant Contact, a new digital CORPUS REPORTS, and working closely with e-Corpus.
Consolidated all Finances under CORPUS control.
Filled the position of TREASURER.
Hired a new Bookkeeper.
Appointed a new EDITOR of CORPUS REPORTS.
Coordinated monthly meetings of the CORPUS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, via Conference Calls.
Reached out to collaborate with other Reform Groups such as, Federation of Christian Ministries ( FCM), Association of ROMAN CATHOLIC WOMEN PRIESTS (ARCWP), and FUTURE CHURCH.
Collected all CORPUS Records from Texas and Wisconsin, seven large boxes with 40 years of history in them. We are sorting through each box and saving all important documents.
All old, non-essential records will be shredded. We are down to the last box.
A CALL TO ACTION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF CORPUS
A CALL TO ACTION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF CORPUS August 31, 2018
As did Rachel (Jer. 31:15), the People of God weep for the children and cannot be comforted by words. Pope Francis’ recent expression of shame and sorrow over sexual abuse committed or countenanced by bishops, priests and religious is welcome and necessary, but very far from sufficient.
CORPUS joins with all who demand a change in behavior in the Catholic Church, so that:
1. victims of sexual abuse and their families at long last be treated with justice and compassion, and given support – without cost to them for as long as needed, regardless of when the offences occurred;
2. in each diocese there be standing committees, led by qualified lay people, to ensure that all credible allegations of sexual offences – whether of commission or omission - are reported, investigated and prosecuted according to the requirements of civil law and authority; and,
3. credible suspicion of abuse results in suspension from ministry during the investigation, and proven violation of the law results in permanent removal from Church ministry.
Along with these changes in behavior, Corpus calls for a radical change in thinking to heal the Church from its cancer of clerical sexual abuse. Institutional clericalism allowed systemic abuse to exist. It must die so that a reformed Church can be born: the death of the grain bears much fruit (John. 12:24).
Actions must be taken now. Words alone will not eliminate wolves who enter the sheepfold or remove the millstone now weighing down the Church. CORPUS, sensing the pain of the victims of sexual abuse and echoing cries of the people, demands that Church leadership ensure all necessary action be taken. CORPUS stands ready to assist.
John and Maureen Sheehan (Co-Chairpersons)
Gloria Durka / Paul Bumbar (Co-Secretaries)
John Shankey (Treasurer)
Jim Ewens (Editor, CORPUS REPORTS)
Ronald Modras
REST IN PEACE
October 17,2018
Ronald Modras, Ph.D., a professor emeritus of theological studies, died Oct. 17. He was 81.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Modras received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from St. Mary’s College in 1959. He earned a Bachelor’s of Sacred Theology in 1963 from Catholic University of America/St. John’s Seminary in 1963 and went on to receive his Ph.D. in theology in 1974 from the University of Tubingen in West Germany. Modras also completed a MA in philosophy from the University of Detroit in 1977.
Dr. Modras joined the Saint Louis University faculty in 1979 as an associate professor of theological studies. He retired in 2012. During his more than 30 years at SLU, he was well known as a solid undergraduate teacher, a significant publisher and a respected colleague.
Associate theology professor David Oughton, Ph.D., experienced Modras as both a teacher and a colleague.
“He was on my doctoral committee between 1986 and 1998,” Oughton said. I was able to take two doctoral seminars with him. Ron was instrumental in my becoming part of the Department of Theological Studies in 2009. I found him to be brilliant, scholarly and compassionate. He was one of my great teachers and an important colleague in our department.”
Associate theology professor Grant Kaplan, Ph.D., heard Modras talk about Ignatian humanism at a 2006 AJCU event in Cleveland not knowing that a year later this impressive speaker would also be his colleague and friend.
“Ron Modras was a good man and theologian,” Kaplan said. “I think he was the first faculty member who invited me to his house after I came to St. Louis. He also hosted a lovely engagement party for me and my soon-to-be wife. He announced with tears in his eyes that the same had been done for him when he married his wife, Liz, and that we were to carry on the tradition.”
William Nemmers
REST IN PEACE
August 3, 2018
William J. Nemmers, age 86, of Woodstock, passed away on August 3, 2018 at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and friends.
He was born on December 4, 1931 in Waterloo, IA, to Irvin and Christine (Staebell) Nemmers. In 1957, Bill was ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Bill served at the following parishes: St. Gregory (3 years), St. Andrews (6 years), and St. John Berchman (3 years). After completing the process of laicization, Bill married Theadora "Teddi" Chronis in 1969, with whom he shared a joy-filled marriage for almost 49 years.
Both Bill and Teddi remained active and vibrant members of both St. Patrick's Church in Hartland (1984-1999) and more recently Resurrection Catholic Church (1999- present) in Woodstock.
His many hobbies include raising goats and sheep as precious pets, playing many musical instruments and singing. He also enjoyed many home improvement projects and working in his lovely yard.
RESOURCES
CORPUS Reports
