Outside Speaker Policy

- Outside Speaker Policy
  
  RATIONALE
  
  Canon 386 §2 requires the Diocesan Bishop to defend the integrity and unity of the faith.
  
  Speaker approval avoids difficult situations of having to dis-invite someone and public scandal.
  
  BASIC IDEA
  
  Speakers from outside the Diocese of Fairbanks who are being considered to give a presentation on faith or morals must be approved by the Diocesan Bishop before an invitation is extended.
  
  Catholic Parishes, Catholic Schools and Catholic Organizations 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 on matters of faith or morals from outside the Diocese of Fairbanks who
  
  • will be the sole presenter and
  
  • will speak on more than one date per calendar year and
  
  • will speak for more than 90 minutes.
  
  OUTSIDE SPEAKERS WHO DO NOT NEED APPROVAL
  
  Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, in virtue of their office
  
  Bishops in communion with the Holy See
  
  Those who currently hold appointed or staff positions in the Diocese of Fairbanks including :
  
  • Priests/Deacons in the Diocese of Fairbanks who are in good standing
  
  • Staff of Diocesan Parishes, Schools and Institutions, including:
  
  Parish Staff Members
  
  Catechists
  
  Diocesan Catholic School Teachers/Administrators
  
  Those who currently hold positions in US Catholic chanceries
  
  Those who currently teach Theology or Religious Studies at Catholic
  
  Institutions of Higher Learning
  
  PROCEDURES
  
  Before a firm invitation is extended to the speaker (preliminary contacts, checking availability, etc., are OK), a request must be submitted to the appropriate Chancery Office from the inviting party.
  
  All requests must include:
  
  1. A completed Speaker Request Form from the inviting party, which includes the speaker's name and topic(s).
  
  2. A curriculum vitae for the speaker.
  
  3. In the case of a lay person:
  
  • A letter of suitability from the speaker's pastor establishing that he is a Catholic in good standing.
  
  In the case of a cleric/religious:
  
  A letter of suitability 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. If the speaker is not a Catholic, the curriculum vitae should be accompanied by written assurance that although the speaker's presentation may highlight the differences with Catholicism, the focus of the presentation shall not be to disprove or undermine in any way the Catholic faith.
  
  6. If the proposed speaker will address minors, a Diocese of Fairbanks background check is required.
  
  The request packet will be submitted to the Chancellor who will distribute the request to the appropriate diocesan office for initial review. ( Tribunal Office, Office of Worship, Office of Religious Education, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Urban Native Ministries, or Stephen Ministry). The diocesan office will review the application and will submit it to the Office of the Bishop for final approval.
  
  The Office of the Bishop will send a letter of permission to the party making the request at which time a formal invitation may be extended and publicity surrounding the event disseminated.
  
  EFFECTIVE DATE
  
  May 1, 2013
  
  Speaker Policy