Following consultation with the Council of Priests, in accord with canons 386 §2, 761, and 822 §§1-3 of the Code of Canon Law, I hereby promulgate the Speaker Policy as particular law. Those who have already scheduled speakers prior to the effective date of this decree (i.e. 1 July 2021) are not bound by its provisions for those specific events.
The provisions of this decree are effective 1 July 2021, all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given at Evansville, Indiana
20 May 2021
Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, DD, STL, Bishop of Evansville
Tim McGuire, Chancellor
DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE SPEAKER POLICY
RATIONALE
- Canon 386 §2 requires the diocesan bishop to protect the integrity and unity of the faith.
- Speaker permission avoids a difficult situation of having to disinvite someone.
- Protect the faithful from speakers who could harm the integrity and unity of the faith.
REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN PERMISSION
- Speakers who would be invited and are being considered to deliver an in-person and/or livestream presentation on Catholic faith, morals, and/or matters touching on Catholic teaching on diocesan property, including churches, schools, and other parish or diocesan facilities, or through social media representing a church, school, or other parish or diocesan facility, must be granted written permission by the diocese through the Office of the Vicar General.
- Diocesan agencies, parishes, and schools cannot promote or sponsor a speaker unless he or she is given written permission to speak by the vicar general.
- Permission granted to a speaker does not imply endorsement.
PERMISSION LIMITATIONS
- Should a speaker be granted permission, said permission shall only be valid for the date and location specified, unless otherwise noted by the vicar general.
- The diocese, through the Office of the Vicar General, reserves the right to cancel or postpone a speaker presentation at any time should information or incident come to the attention of the diocese that the speaker could harm the integrity and unity of the faith.
SPEAKERS TO WHICH THIS POLICY APPLIES
- Any speaker under consideration to give a presentation on Catholic faith, morals, and/or matters touching on Catholic teaching who does not fall in the exempt category below.
SPEAKERS WHO ARE EXEMPT (no need for permission)
- Cardinals and Bishops in communion with the Holy See.
- Priests, Deacons, and Religious of the Diocese of Evansville who are in good standing.
- Pastoral Life Coordinators of the Diocese of Evansville.
- Diocese of Evansville Department Directors.
- Other Diocese of Evansville personnel in good standing as determined by the vicar general.
PROCEDURE
- BEFORE a firm invitation is extended to the speaker, a request must be submitted to the Office of the Vicar General from the inviting party; preliminary contacts, checking speaker availability, etc., are permissible at this stage.
- Items to include with the request:
- A completed Speaker Request Form from the inviting party, which includes the speaker’s name and topic(s). The inviting party should attest to the speaker’s fidelity to the Magisterium, and the conformity of the topic to the pastoral direction of the diocese.
- A curriculum vitae for the speaker.
- In the case of a lay person, a Letter of Good Standing from the speaker’s pastor, administrator, or priest moderator establishing that he or she is a practicing Catholic in good standing. No generically addressed letters are accepted. The letter must be addressed to the vicar general and have a current date no later than three months prior to the anticipated speaking engagement.
- Clerics who are incardinated in another diocese and religious order clerics are required to present a Letter of Suitability from the speaker’s respective diocese or religious community attesting that the speaker is in good standing. No generically addressed letters are accepted. The letter must be addressed to the vice-chancellor and have a current date no later than three months prior to the anticipated speaking engagement.
- The curriculum vitae shall be accompanied by written assurance, signed by the speaker, stating: “This presentation will not harm the integrity and unity of the Catholic faith.”
- All Safe Environment Program protocol shall apply as necessary.
Promulgated: 1 July 2021