Archbishop Nienstedt’s statement on the relationship of the archbishop to the University of St. Thomas

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Archbishop Nienstedt’s statement on the relationship of the archbishop to the University of St. Thomas

Over the past several months, I have been working with Father Dennis Dease, president of the University of Saint Thomas as well as with members of the University’s Board of Trustees, to establish a new relationship between the office of the Archbishop and the Board. A focal point of these discussions has been to ensure and perpetuate the University’s Catholic mission and governance.

I am happy to announce jointly with Father Dease that one key outcome of these discussions is the election by the St. Thomas Board of Trustees of Father Lee Piché, the Archdiocese’s Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, to the Board. As a voting member of the Board, Father Piché, a 1980 alumnus of the university, will be my representative at all future meetings.

As another result of our fruitful discussions during the past few months, I have proposed, and the University has ac­cepted, two procedural resolutions designed to clarify its association with me and my office and the University’s desire to manifest its identity as a Catholic institution.

First, as Archbishop, I will be present for one meeting of the Board of Trustees’ three scheduled meetings every year. And I will also meet twice a year with the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board and key trustees of the University. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss issues related to the University’s Catholic mission. Second, the Board of Trustees has agreed that it will make no decisions that may affect the University’s Catholic mission or Catholic identity without directly consulting the office of the Archbishop.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to Father Dennis Dease and the members of the Board for their valuable assistance in helping to establish the terms of this relationship. I feel confident that the University of Saint Thomas and the Archbishop’s office will move forward together to promote the mission of the Catholic Church in all its fullness.

The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, S.T.D
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Min­neapolis.

Archbishop, St. Thomas outline new relationship

By The Catholic Spirit

Wednesday, 03 September 2008

Following months of discussion between Archbishop John Nienstedt and the University of St. Thomas regarding the archbishop’s relationship to the school’s board of trustees, the archbishop and UST have announced new measures to help ensure and perpetuate the school’s Catholic mission and governance. The archbishop and Father Dennis Dease, UST president, announced three outcomes from the discussions in separate statements released Sept. 4: • The UST board of trustees has elected Father Lee Piché, archdiocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, to the board. As a voting member, he will act as the archbishop’s representative at board meetings. • Archbishop Nienstedt will be present for one of the three scheduled meetings of the board of trustees each year. He also will meet twice a year with the chair of the board’s executive committee and key trustees. • The board of trustees has agreed that it won’t make any decisions that may affect the school’s Catholic mission or its Catholic identity without directly consulting the archbishop’s office. Last fall the UST board of trustees announced changes in its bylaws, based on recommendations made six years ago by the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, to elect its chair and vice chair. Previously, the sitting archbishop served as ex-officio chair of the board.

First, as Archbishop, I will be present for one meeting of the Board of Trustees’ three scheduled meetings every year. And I will also meet twice a year with the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board and key trustees of the University. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss issues related to the University’s Catholic mission. Second, the Board of Trustees has agreed that it will make no decisions that may affect the University’s Catholic mission or Catholic identity without directly consulting the office of the Archbishop.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to Father Dennis Dease and the members of the Board for their valuable assistance in helping to establish the terms of this relationship. I feel confident that the University of Saint Thomas and the Archbishop’s office will move forward together to promote the mission of the Catholic Church in all its fullness.

The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, S.T.D
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Min­neapolis.