The Association of U S Catholic Priests had its Spirit-driven founding in August 2011. The 27 “Founding Fathers” gathered in Mundelein Institute for Ongoing Formation on the grounds of St. Mary University for a retreat, the goal of which was uncertain and open-ended at its inception. After three fruitful days, a Free Association, one with no direct ties to other Catholic organizations and entities, was proposed and established. Vision and mission statements were reached by consensus and still guide the AUSCP today. As would be expected, in a group of priests, talents surfaced to take on the follow-up aspects of the Retreat. By-Laws were written, the corporate entity was established, officers were selected, a membership committee became operative and a dream of the first Assembly was born.
Assembly History
The first Assembly of the new Association of U.S. Catholic Priests was held at St. Leo University near Tampa, Florida, in June 2012. The inaugural theme underlies the association throughout the years: “Vatican II Lives!”
The AUSCP will hold its Ninth Annual Assembly at the Maritime Conference Center near Baltimore, June 22-25, 2020, on the critical election year theme: “Our Catholic Faith in the Political World.” More Information here
2020 presenters and key participants are as follows
Keynote Address: Sister Carol Keehan, DC, w CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States
Keynote Address: Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe (AUSCP episcopal moderator)
Keynote Address: John Carr, social justice advocate and former head of the U.S. bishops’ domestic and international policy programs
Retreat Day Leader: Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and a keynote speaker at the 2016 AUSCP Assembly
The 2020 assembly lineup continues the annual presentations of timely topics and issues. Following is a brief overview of Assembly themes, speakers and St. Pope John XXIII Awards
2019: St. Louis: God’s Priestly People: The Baptized and the Ordained
Keynoters: Dr. Richard Gaillardetz, Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, and Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich
Retreat Day Leader: Sebastian Gomes, Salt and Light
Contemplative Process Leader: Sister Suzanne Giblin, CSJ
St. Pope John XXIII Awards: Sister Norma Pimentel, Father Richard Creason
2018: Albuquerque: The Church in a Post-Modern World: Spirituality and Ministry in a Secular Age
Keynoters: Sister Katarina Schuth, OSF, Bishop Bob McElroy of San Diego, and Father Richard Rohr, OFM, who also led a Retreat Day
St. John XXIII Awards: Richard Rohr, OSF; Father Jay Davidson, a “Founding Father” LINK
2017: Atlanta: Peacemaking in our Fractured Society
Assembly events included a visit to the Martin Luther King Center
Keynoters: Father Bryan Massingale, Fordham, , JustFaith Founder Jack Jezreel, and Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta
Retreat Day Leader: Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., of Savannah
St. John XXIII Awards: Father Bryan Massengale, Father Richard Rento, Diocese of Patterson
2016: Chicago: Proclaiming the Gospel of Joy in a Year of Mercy
Assembly events included Congratulations on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Chicago Association of Catholic Priests
Assembly Mass: Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago
Keynoters: Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ, on Laudato Si’, Caring for our Common Home, Dr. Massimo Faggioli, Pope Francis and the Unfolding of Vatican II in Today’s Church, and Father Peter Phan, Migration of Theology and Theology of Migration
Retreat Day Leader: Father Lou Cameli, Archdiocese of Chicago
St. John XXIII Awards: Father Doug Dussan of New Orleans, and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
2015: St. Louis
Keynoters: Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, Sister Simone Campbell, Father Thomas Rosica