Decree - Parishhood

THE CHANCERY
DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND
CHANCERY BUILDING, CATHEDRAL SQUARE
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

DECREE

	To provide more adequately for the spiritual needs and convenience of the faithful now belonging to the Community of Saint Malachi, and having sought the advice and obtained the approval of the Diocesan Consultors, I hereby establish the Community of Saint Malachi as a personal (non-territorial) parish of the Diocese of Cleveland, for, a three-year period.

		The Charter of the Saint Malachi Community has been
	amended, as agreed. to by myself and the Steering Committee, to:

	1.	Declare the Community to be a personal parish of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland;

	2.	Provide for consultation between the Community and the Bishop concerning the appointment by the Bishop of a pastor for the Community;

	3.	Make the pastor an "ex-officio" voting member of the Steering Committee;

	4.	Clarify the role of the pastor as the representative of and to the Community, in relationship to the Bishop.

		Also, where applicable, the following Diocesan Guidelines for
	"non-territorial" parishes, as recommended by the Senate of Priests, apply:

	1.	Every non-territorial parish shall have a priest-coordinator, willing to serve the community and approved by the bishop.

	2.	The priest(s) in charge are to be given a canonical appointment as "Vicarius Cooperator" of the local parish to protect the validity of marriage there. It is understood that the priest has the obligation to prepare for the marriage by proper instruction and by arranging for the required papers and making the proper recordings after the Sacrament is administered.

	Decree - Community of Saint Malachi - page 2

	3.	Proper records of sacramental administration are to be kept in the non-territorial parish and, if the community should cease to exist, records are transferred to the diocesan archives.

	4.	Members should apply to the community and be accepted by the community. After being accepted by the community, they are to register with the priest coordinator, who, in turn, should inform the former pastor within one month.

	5.	In all liturgical functions, the approved Diocesan Liturgical Guidelines are to be followed.

	6.	The aim of the community should be the Christian formation and education of every member, adult and child, depending on the facilities available.

	7.	Local pastors are expected to retain children in their schools even though parents attend a non-territorial parish, provided the parents do their share in support of the school.

	8.	Members are cautioned to be aware of their obligation to the wider community of the Church and the neighborhood, lest they become exclusive and self-serving. A collection should be taken up at the Sunday liturgy for the support of personnel and facilities of the institutions serving them and also for special diocesan appeals.

	9.	AU the normal relationships that exist for any parish with the Chancery, the Deanery, etc., should apply to the non-territorial parish. This should include a determined contribution to diocesan expenses.

	Decree - Community of Saint Malachi - page 3

		This Decree shall be effective Sunday, April 27, 1975,
	all things to the contrary notwithstanding. It shall be valid for a period of three [3] years. At the end of that time, the position of the Community shall be reviewed by the Bishop of Cleveland and the Community of Saint Malachi.

		Given at the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Cleveland,
	this 23rd day of April, 1975.

(Most Reverend) James A. Hickey
Bishop of Cleveland

(Reverend) James A. Griffin
Chancellor