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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.
Praying Advent 2018
A rich and powerful
season of the Church year.
We often miss Advent's power because these December weeks are full of secular Christmas parties and preparations for Christmas. Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. This site offers simple ways to enter into this Advent season, week by week, in the midst of our everyday lives.
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)
Arthur Perry
Arthur Reyburn Perry Jr., 86, formerly of Oak Park, died on Nov. 4, 2016. Born on Oct. 31, 1930 to Arthur Reyburn Perry Sr. and Mary Lucille Kahman Perry, he grew up in Davenport, Iowa along with his three younger siblings.
He attended St. Ambrose Academy in Davenport, where he loved football and was selected as a tackle on the 1948 Des Moines Register All-State High School Football Team.
Awarded a football scholarship by Notre Dame University, he played on the 1949 National Championship Team under legendary coach Frank Leahy. He graduated with honors in 1952 and went on to earn an MA in education. To the end of his life, he maintained a deep commitment to all things Notre Dame.
After college, he studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood and was ordained in the Diocese of Davenport on June 1, 1957. Following his ordination he taught at Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa. Art’s love of working with young people began here.
RESOURCES
CORPUS Reports
