What is
COPIP?
The Cultural Orientation Program for International
Priests is a series of three 3-day workshops designed to
facilitate the ministry of priests whose native culture is not that
of the United States. The program was started ten years ago in response
to needs expressed by international priests themselves, as well
as by diocesan bishops, vicars for clergy, and offices of ethnic
ministries and continuing education.
COPIP gives international priests an opportunity
for cultural dialogue in a supportive, affirming context.
They learn more about the church, society, and culture of the United
States while also appreciating and valuing their own cultural heritage
and values. The goal is to help priests become critically aware
of both their own culture and the North American culture(s) they
now serve.
Understanding how to recognize cross-cultural
boundaries is crucial for ministry in today’s multi-cultural
situations. Theory and skills learned in this program prepare the
participants for more effective ministry in the U.S. and for reentry
in case they return to their country of origin.
Who Provides
this Program?
COPIP is a program sponsored by
the Center for Religion and Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University.
It is tailored to meet the particular needs of individual dioceses
or regions for the cultural orientation for priests born and trained
outside the United States.
COPIP is endorsed by the Region
Eleven Conference of Presbyteral Councils (RECOPS), by the Region
Eleven of The National Organization of Continuing Education for
Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC), and by the Bishops of the California
Region.
Schedule
of Workshops
Two series of COPIP workshops are
offered each year, one in Southern California (for the Province
of Los Angeles) and one in Northern California (for the Province
of San Francisco). Each series consists of three 3-day workshops,
usually held mid-week in a retreat-house setting:
Northern California:
September 23-25, 2002
February 24-26, 2003
April 30-May 2, 2003
Sourthern California:
October 21-13, 2002
February 10-12, 2003
May 12-14, 2003
Costs for
2002—2003:
$1125 for all three workshops
(includes tuition,
room and board, and a $50 non-refundable application fee; payable
in three installments of $375)
Funding for a priest’s
participation in COPIP is provided according to the arrangements
for continuing education in local dioceses.
A Cultural Orientation
Certificate is given upon successful completion of all three
workshops. Continuing Education Credit is also available.
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For Whom
is COPIP Intended?
COPIP is intended for international
priests who have come to work in the United States within the past
five years and have already had some exposure to pastoral ministry
in this country. They will be informed of the program by their Bishop
and invited to participate in one of the workshop series.
Priests born in the United States
or priests of other nationalities who have worked many years in
the U.S.A. may also apply for this program. Any pastor or associate
will find the program to be informative, challenging, and helpful
for ministry in today’s Church.
Methodology
COPIP workshops use adult education
models with as much dialogue and interaction as possible. Most
instruction is in English, but small group discussions may take
place in Spanish or another language common to the group.
* Content presentations provide
useful information in areas of culture, church history, theology,
and pastoral ministry.
* Question and answer periods
allow the participants to understand more fully the issues raised
by the presenters.
* Small group sessions provide
time for further dialogue among the priests, whose ministerial and
personal experiences are honored as valuable resources for pastoral
reflection.
Facilitators
Workshops in 2002-2003 will be led
by:
Fr. Ken McGuire, C.S.P.,
Ph.D., Director, Paulist Foundation for Values in Ministry;
Fr. Eduardo Fernandez, S.J.,
Ph.D., Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley; and
Louis Velasquez, Office of
the Vicar for Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Faculty
COPIP faculty and staff come from
Loyola Marymount University and other universities, theologates,
and dioceses throughout California. Guest speakers include other
leading experts on the cultural, social, pastoral, theological,
and legal aspects of church life and ministry in the U.S. today.
For Further
Information:
Fr. Felix Just,
S.J., Director,
Center for Religion and Spirituality
One LMU Drive, Suite 1840
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
Phone: (310)
338-2799
Fax: (310) 338-2706
Email: CRS@lmu.edu
or
Fr. Ken McGuire,
C.S.P.
24303 Woolsey Canyon Rd. #38
West Hills, CA 91304
Phone: (818) 348-3080
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