smms constitution 15 november 2015

Sodalitas Mariae, Matris Sacerdotum

THE CONSTITUTION

of the

SODALITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF PRIESTS

“Mary is in a special manner Queen and Mother of priests.

Because of their resemblance to her divine Son,Our Lady sees Jesus in each one of them.

She loves them not only as members of the mystical body, but on account of the priestly character imprinted on their souls,

and for the sacred mysteries which they celebrate in persona Christi.”Blessed Columba Marmion

Sodalitas MariaeMatris Sacerdotum

Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite.

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1. NAME

i. The name of the organisation shall be the SODALITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF PRIESTS founded in 2015 to enable priests to grow in holiness and to help form those in discernment and training in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

2. MEMBERSHIP

i) The Sodality of Mary, Mother of Priests is a community of Anglican priests.

ii) Any bishop, priest or transitional deacon in good standing with a bishop in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury is eligible to join the Sodality.

iii) If a priest who was previously in good standing with a bishop in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury joins another communion/Church he or she will no longer be a member of the Sodality. However a priest whose good standing lapses will normally be considered to continue as a member of the Sodality.

iv) Members are admitted to the Sodality at the annual retreat and General Council. The Superior-General (or a member of the Leadership Council delegated by the Superior) may also receive new members at other times.

v) Members initially make a commitment for one year and this annual commitment may be renewed for life. After five years those who wish to do so may make a life commitment.

vi) All members of the Sodality have an equal vote at the General Council.

vii) Members of the Sodality will submit a report of their observance of the Rule once each year in time for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Reports will be submitted to the local/regional Superior unless there is no local/regional Council in which case the report will be submitted to the Superior General.

viii) A member of the Sodality may be removed from membership by a majority vote of the Leadership Council.

ix) Membership shall comprise those who have made an annual or life-time commitment.

3. ASSOCIATES AND ASPIRANTS

i) Associates and Aspirants to the Sodality do not attend and do not have a vote at General Council.

ii) Any Christian may become an Associate of the Sodality.

4. THE GENERAL COUNCIL

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i) The General Council will take place each year at the annual retreat.

ii) A petition of one-third of the members of the Sodality may call an extraordinary meeting of the General Council.

iii) General Council will elect a Superior-General and an assistant Superior-General (by majority vote) for a period of five years. All priest members of the Sodality are eligible for election.

iv) In the event of the resignation or death of the Superior-General the Assistant becomes Acting Superior General until a new election is held, which is normally at the next meeting of the General Council but may be conducted by email.

v) The General Council will elect a Council Clerk and Treasurer for a five-year term.

vi) The General Council will receive annual accounts from the Treasurer and approve any spending greater than £1000.

vii) The General Council may alter the Manual or the Constitution by majority vote.

viii) The assets of the Sodality are to be used for the aim of the Sodality: the sanctification of priests.

ix) The General Council will approve the liturgical rites of the Sodality.

5. THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

i) The Leadership Council will consist of the Superior-General, Assistant Superior-General, Clerk, Treasurer and the Superiors of the local/regional Councils.

ii) The Leadership Council will consist of twelve members. When there are insufficient local Superiors to fill all the places the General Council will elect additional members.

iii) The Leadership Council will agree the formation of local Councils.

iv) The Leadership Council will meet three times a year, once at the annual retreat.

v) The Superior General will call the meetings of the Leadership Council and the Clerk will publish the agenda one month in advance of the meetings.

vi) All decisions of the General Council will be by majority vote.

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vii) Members of the Sodality may only be removed from membership by a majority vote of the General Council.

viii) The Clerk shall keep Minutes of the Annual Meeting which shall be made available for inspection by any member of the Sodality is so required. The Clerk will publish the agenda for the General Council one month before it meets. The Clerk is also responsible for keeping a copy of the Annual Accounts.

ix) The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies received and expended on account of the Sodality. She/he shall present details of income and expenditure at each meeting of the committee and acceptance of these shall be recorded in the Minutes. All cheques shall be signed by at least two voting Members of the General Council. The Treasurer shall prepare the accounts at the end of the financial year to be independently examined. Accounts shall be submitted to members at the Annual General Meeting. A copy of such accounts shall be kept by the Secretary.

x) The Clerk and Treasurer shall hold office for five years and shall be elected by separate vote from among the members of the Sodality at the Annual General Meeting.

xi) An Officer shall be eligible for re-election provided that they are still a member of the Sodality.

6. THE EPISCOPAL VISITOR

i) The Episcopal Visitor will present the Superiors’ Council Chapter with a Visitation Report every three years and the General Council will prepare a response.

7. LOCAL COUNCILS

i) Three priest members are required to form a local Council of the Sodality and will be agreed by the General Council.

ii) When a local Council falls to less than three members it shall cease to exist. Any assets will be given to the General Council.

8. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

i) Alteration of this constitution shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. A resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be received by the Clerk of the Sodality at least 28 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward. At least 14 days notice of such a meeting must be given by the Clerk to the membership and must include notice of the alteration proposed.

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11. DISSOLUTION

i) The Sodality may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-third majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 28 days notice shall have been given to the members. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Sodality, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such that if any property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Sodality, but shall be given or transferred to a similar society for priests in the Anglican Communion by agreement with the Episcopal Visitor.

This Constitution was agreed by members and adopted at a General Meeting held on …..

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………... Superior General

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………

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Signed: ……………………………………………………………………….… Sodality Clerk

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………

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Signed: ………………………………………………………………………… Treasurer

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………

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....……………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………

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NOTES

To avoid the vocabulary and language of other organisations and to indicate that we are above all a community cell/chapter etc have been avoided and the language of ‘council’ has been used. This has New Testament warrant.

Structure:

Associates and Aspirants may attend all Sodality Days and the annual retreat but not the Council meetings.

General Council – all members of the Sodality, meets one a year at the annual retreat

Leadership Council12 membersSuperior General and Assistant, Clerk, TreasurerOther places elected from Local Superiors or by the General CouncilMeets three times a year

Local/Regional or Diocesan CouncilsMinimum of three maximum of 12 membersElect a Local SuperiorMay meet bi-monthly

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smms constitution 15 november 2015

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