FAQs
Q&A about Procurator Mandates for Archdiocese (cf. SaveOurSt.LouisParishes.com)
1. WHO CAN SIGN IT?
Anyone 14 years or older who lives in St. Louis Archdiocese for six months or more and is Catholic or married to a Catholic
2. WHO DO THE (2) WITNESSES NEED TO BE?
Anyone 14 years or older. These two people can be family members.
3. DO WE HAVE TO GET THIS NOTARIZED?
No.
4. HOW DO WE GET IT BACK TO YOU?
We would ask you to mail the original signed physical copy to:
JOE GRANICKE, 13 BRUSH HILL Ct., SAINT PAUL, MO 63366
or
drop off in Mandate Mailbox in front of Petals and Bells across from the Church
5. WHEN DO WE NEED TO GET IT BACK TO YOU?
As soon as possible.
6. WHY DO WE HAVE THIS MANDATE?
So we can have a reasonable opportunity to be heard BEFORE the sweeping changes/42 models suggested through All Things New.
7.WHO IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE "ADVOCATE IN CANON LAW"?
Mr. Philip Gray with the St. Joseph Foundation.
8.HOW IS THIS ARCHDIOCESEAN-WIDE PROCURATOR MANDATE DIFFERENT THAN THE PROCURATOR MANDATE FOR OUR INDIVIDUAL PARISHES?
[That] mandate is for the ENTIRE Archdiocese of St. Louis. This is the best chance for us all to be heard and to stop pre-planned changes of "All Things New" from happening without our input. The Procurator Mandate for [our] Parish is tied to stopping [St. Paul Parish] from being suppressed/merged/closed once the Archbishop announces [those] decisions. You must be a parishioner or married to a parishioner at your parish to sign your individual parish mandate. [PLEASE NOTE: One can belong to a parish by registration or by residence within the bounds of a territorial parish.]
9. DO WE NEED OUR PRIEST OR DEACON'S PERMISSION TO SIGN THIS?
No, you do not need permission. From [the] Code of Canon Law, Canon 212 §2 & §3 "The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.
10. DO WE REALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Absolutely. We are the first diocese that has come together BEFORE the Archbishop officially declares closures/mergers/suppressions. Mr. Gray has had success when enough people come together as a large group which makes both the Archbishop and Rome take notice.