Appendix-1 - Archdiocese of Baltimore Policies

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

CONSTITUTION OF THE PRIESTLY LIFE AND MINISTRY BOARD OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this body shall be: “The Priestly Life and Ministry Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” hereinafter referred to as “the Board.”

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND MISSION

SEC. 1 The purpose of the Board shall be to serve in an advisory capacity to the Archbishop of Baltimore and his staff through the Vicar for Clergy, focusing on matters related to the well-being, ongoing formation, and ministerial support of priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

SEC. 2 Inspired by the threefold mission of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, the Board seeks to:

To foster greater bonds of communion within the presbyterate by cultivating spiritual growth, ongoing formation, and pastoral care for priests.
Serve as a channel for communication and dialogue among priests of the Archdiocese and with the Archbishop and his delegates regarding matters referred by them to the Board.
To offer a channel for priests to bring forward needs related to priestly life and ministry and discern policies and practices that support the holistic well-being, ongoing formation, and ministerial satisfaction of priests.
Support the Archbishop in initiatives that further the mission and ministry of the Church through the lives of its priests.

ARTICLE III – STATUS

SEC. 1 The Board is formally constituted by and exists under the authority of the Archbishop. It is an advisory body with membership determined through a process of discernment for elected and appointed members.

SEC. 2 The Board serves the interests of all members of the presbyterate, including incardinated and resident priests.

SEC. 3 Recommendations are made to the Vicar for Clergy and shared with the Archbishop and his staff.

SEC. 4 The Board, through the Vicar for Clergy, fosters communication and collegiality with other Archdiocesan bodies serving related purposes.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

SEC. 1 Membership consists of a up to eight priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore excluding ex officio members.

SEC. 2 Membership on the Board is determined through a process of discernment whereby priests may be nominated, self-nominated, or recruited for membership on the Board.

SEC. 3 Membership on the Board should be broadly reflective of the diversity of the presbyterate in areas such as age, years of ordination, geographic location, ministerial assignment, and ethnicity.

SEC. 4 All incardinated and resident priests possessing faculties of the Archdiocese are eligible to serve on the Board except those who serve as Vicars General, Chancery staff, or in the Office of Clergy Personnel, who may serve in ex officio capacities on the Board.

SEC. 5 All Board members serve at the pleasure of the Archbishop of Baltimore.

ARTICLE V – SELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

SEC. 1 The Office of Clergy Personnel shall oversee the selection of Board members no later than June of each year. In a process of discernment potential members may be nominated by brother priests, may self-nominate, or may be recruited each spring.

SEC. 2 Members serve for two-year terms, with no member serving more than three consecutive terms. Eligibility resumes after a one-year break.

SEC. 3 Selection will be staggered in such a way that no more than one-half of the membership leaves each year.

SEC. 4 A priest may serve simultaneously on the Board, the College of Consultors, and the Presbyteral Council.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

SEC. 1 The Officers of the Board shall consist of a Chair and Vice Chair.

(a) The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Board and shall serve on the Executive Committee.

(b) The Vice Chair assists the Chair and shall serve on the Executive Committee and preside over any meetings in which the Chair is not present.

SEC. 2 Officers are selected annually by the Board and require confirmation from the Archbishop. Officers may serve in a designated office no more than two consecutive years.

SEC. 3 If the Chair leaves office before the end of his term, the Vice Chair shall become Chair for the duration of the term.

SEC. 4 If the Vice Chair leaves office before the end of his term, a new Vice Chair will be selected by the Board.

ARTICLE VII – RECORDING SECRETARY

The Vicar for Clergy will provide a Recording Secretary from the Office of Clergy Personnel. The Recording Secretary is not considered a member of the Board.

ARTICLE VIII – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SEC. 1 The Executive Committee consists of the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Vicar for Clergy.

SEC. 2 The Executive Committee meets to establish the agenda for upcoming meetings and serves as an ad hoc committee for preliminary discussions of topics which may be brought to the attention of the Board.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

SEC. 1 The Board may, as it is helpful, establish ad hoc committees to address particular issues such as ongoing formation, policy, membership, and planning. Such committees will continue if there is a task to be addressed.

SEC. 2 The Board, with the approval of the Archbishop, may recruit individuals to serve on ad hoc committees who are not members of the Board. This includes the possibility of other priests or lay professionals possessing desired expertise.

SEC. 3 The Board will, as requested, nominate priests for membership on Archdiocesan advisory boards that deal with issues impacting the presbyterate.

ARTICLE X – MEETINGS

SEC. 1 The Board will meet at least five times per year on a schedule to be adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board. Special meetings may be called at the initiative of the Vicar for Clergy, Chair, or at the behest of the Archbishop.

SEC. 2 While strictly considered an advisory body, a quorum of members is desirable. A quorum is considered to be a majority of members who do not serve in an ex officio role.

SEC. 3 The Board shall strive to make recommendations by consensus, engaging in a process of discernment rooted in synodal listening.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

SEC. 1 These statutes shall take effect upon the approval of the Archbishop.

SEC. 2 These statutes can be amended at any regular meeting of the Board by a majority vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing and considered at a previous meeting. Amendments must be approved by the Archbishop.

Approved by Archbishop William Lori, 2 February 2026.