Diocesan official wrapping up four-year term on U.S. bishops’ advisory council

By Charissa M. Carroll
Head Staff Writer

In the ever-emerging role of the laity in the Church, it stands to reason that  the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops would seek the input of lay members of the Church, and other non-clerical individuals, in preparation for the bishops’ twice-yearly gatherings.

But not many Catholics are aware that for the last 35 years, there has been an official body in place to advise the bishops and offer direction on the important matters that will come before them during their meetings.

For the last four years, an official of the diocese has served as a member of this body, meant to represent a true cross-section of the U.S. Church.

Finishing up her term on the National Advisory Council is Jesus Our Hope Sister Julia Jamink, who serves in the diocese as delegate for religious. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the bishop, the director of the Department of Personnel in Ministry and the 400 men and women in consecrated life within the diocese.

Sister Julia is one of only a few religious who comprise the approximately 55-member National Advisory Council, which is mainly laity, along with a small number of priests and bishops.

"The group is really a microcosm of the Church," said Sister Julia, who attended her last council meeting in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of the month. "Working with such a wide variety of people was a very enriching, broadening experience."

To fully represent the U.S. Catholic population, the diverse council includes members from all geographic regions, age groups and walks of life.

Twice annually, the council meets the weekend prior to the bishops’ Administrative Committee meetings so that the council’s input is fresh in their minds, and as current as possible for the Administrative Committee, which is charged with shaping the agenda for the bishops’ spring and fall meetings.

Among the range of topics addressed during Sister Julia’s term were multiculturalism in the Church, church architecture, various points of Liturgy, social issues and last year’s highly publicized Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

According to Sister Julia, who was appointed to the council by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, each three-day meeting is an intense learning experience in which the group becomes fully entrenched in the issues. The council first receives briefings on the major topics from the heads of the appropriate United States Conference of Catholic Bishops departments, which supplements extensive background information that was mailed out in advance.

Members then break out into small-group discussions, which may last several hours. At the end of each session, the group votes on specific changes, suggestions or ideas they wish to pass along to the bishops’ Administrative Committee.

"In addition to the topics given to us, new topics can arise from within our group discussions and we let the bishops know," Sister Julia said. "So we’re really providing them with both reactive and pro-active responses."

As expected, council members don’t always come to a consensus when discussing certain topics. "Sometimes there’s a unanimous vote, and sometimes there are opinions that run the whole spectrum – which is really just like life," Sister Julia noted.

She said she feels privileged to have been able to collaborate with such an "impressive" group of people, who are not only highly analytical and intelligent, but also have "heart" and concern for the Church and its people.

And she applauded the fact that most members are lay people, since "this is the age of the laity," she added.

Though she is in religious life, Sister Julia said she didn’t come to the meetings to represent any particular constituency.

"I simply bring a love for the Church and a desire to do what I can to strengthen the inner life of the Church in the United States," she stated. "I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to share my opinions."