Confraternity of Catholic Clergy Inaugurate 'Year for Priests'

Confraternity of Catholic Clergy has joined Pope Benedict XVI's inauguration of a 'Year for Priests'.

SAN DIEGO, CA (Confraternity of Catholic Clergy) - The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy (a national association of 600 priests and deacons) has joined Pope Benedict XVI's inauguration of a "Year for Priests" by launching a new web site and announcing, an international convocation for English speaking priests and deacons to take place in Rome January 4th - 8th, 2010.

The Holy Father decided to inaugurate a "Year for Priests" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birthday of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. His intention is to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world

The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy was founded by a group of priests in 1975 to provide ongoing spiritual, theological and pastoral formation for clergy. At their annual and regional convocations they spending time together before the Blessed Sacrament, pray the Liturgy of the Hours together, participate in spiritual conferences, workshops and seminars just as the Church has prescribed for centuries. "The Second Vatican Council and the Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, as well as Canon Law, make it clear that ongoing formation of the clergy is not an option or luxury, it is a necessity," said the President of the Confraternity, Fr. John Trigilio.

The new revised web site (www.catholic-clergy.org) will now bring some higher-tech conveniences so that clergy can network with one another and access Magisterial material in addition to following what is going on in the Church and in the CCC at large. Thomas McKenna, Executive Director of the organization described it as "a bridge between the best of the old and best of the new."

"Our new homepage will not only be user friendly, but will also help with our upcoming gathering in Rome to celebrate the Year for Priests. If Saint John Vianney himself was alive today, he would be online helping his parishioners and his brother priests," commented Fr. Trigilio.

The Confraternity holds that while individual dioceses sponsor events year round, it is imperative that in the Year for Priests, the clergy themselves take ownership of their spirituality and seek to grow in wisdom and grace so as to better serve the People of God. As the Holy Father is inviting everyone to pray for priests through the intercession of Saint John Vianney, patron of priests, the CCC hopes their new web page will also encourage the laity to support their clergy and encourage them to seek ongoing formation.

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For more information contact Thomas McKenna at (858) 401-9641

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The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy is an association of Roman Catholic Priests and Deacons pledged to the pursuit of personal holiness, loyalty to the Roman Pontiff, commitment to theological study and strict adherence to the authentic teachings of the Magisterium.