Councils:
The College of Consultors is a required body in the diocese, presided over by the diocesan bishop, whose membership is constituted by not less than six nor more than twelve bishops and priests, appointed from among the membership of the Presbyteral Council for a period of five years. The functions of the College are dictated by a variety of canons of the Code and pertain primarily to matters of diocesan governance and administration.
Members
| Very Reverend Brian C. Alford, V.E. |
| Very Reverend Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F. |
| Reverend Joseph Carlos, O.F.M. |
| Reverend Michael Friedel |
| Very Reverend Jeffrey H. Goeckner, V.F. |
| Reverend Monsignor David J. Hoefler, V.G. |
| Reverend William Jeffry Holtman |
| Very Reverend Christopher A. House, V.J. |
| Reverend Scott A. Snider |
| Very Reverend John M. Titus, V.F. |
| Reverend Mark W. Tracy |
| Reverend Donald L. Wolford |
The Diocesan Finance Council is a required canonical body, established by the Bishop for the purpose of advising and assisting him in financial matters in accord with the norms of canon law.
The Finance Council is responsible for (i) advising the Bishop on the development and implementation of strategies designed to assure the financial soundness of the Diocese, (ii) overseeing (but not managing) Diocesan financial operations and condition, and (iii) assisting the Bishop in achieving openness and transparency in Diocesan financial reporting. Consistent with these responsibilities, the Finance Council will make specific recommendations to the Bishop on policies, procedures and actions, and will monitor the implementation of recommendations that have been accepted by the Bishop. The Bishop will fully inform the Finance Council on matters on which it is to vote, to oversee or to provide consultation.
Finance Council Members
- Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
- Reverend Albert F. Allen
- James A. Bock, Jr.
- Brian Brewer
- Mike Christie
- Reverend Michael B. Haag
- Robin Hake
- Linda Harcharick
- Timothy Healy
- Reverend Monsignor David J. Hoefler, V.G.
- J. Michael Houston
- Stephen Logan
- Dan McGuire
- Stan Rupnik
- John Staudt
- Kenneth Vogt
Finance Council Consultants
- Gregory Fleck
- Christopher Sommer
As outlined in Christus Dominus n.27 (Latin for Christ the Lord), of the Second Vatican Council, it is highly desirable that in every diocese a special pastoral council be established, presided over by the diocesan bishop himself, in which clergy, religious and laity specially chosen for the purpose will participate.
The Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois serves as a means of communication between Bishop Paprocki and the laity. The DPC focuses on and fosters vibrant participation in liturgy and social concerns. Through diverse faith communities, the advisory group considers pastoral works and develops supportive pastoral initiatives. Through prayerful judgment and mutually respectful dialogue, the DPC collaborates with the Bishop, gives voice to aspirations and concerns of their communities, as well as share the vision of the diocese. The pastoral council lacks any legislative or governing power and functions solely as a consultative body.
The mission of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is to study, ponder and make recommendations on pastoral matters, which the bishop, as pastor of the diocese, presents to the council for thought, deliberation and reflection.
Members
- Sr. M. Stephanie Belgeri
- Megan Breheny-Bennett
- James A. Bock, Jr.
- Mike Christie
- Cindy Clark
- Katie Conlon
- Patty Fitzpatrick
- Jeff Heitzig
- Larry Hemann
- Reverend Monsignor David J. Hoefler, V.G.
- George Menard
- David Michael, Chair
- John Miller
- Katie Price
- Martha Rapp
- Deacon David Sorrell
- Carol Toney
- Reverend Mark Tracy
- Thomas Tucker
- Scott Ventimiglia
- Kathy Wear
- Bob Zeller
The Presbyteral Council of our Diocese is, in effect, a senate of the bishop made up of representatives of the "presbyterate" or body of priests. The council provides the bishop with a forum for the exchange of ideas, consultation, and advice regarding the pastoral work of the Church in the Diocese. The Second Vatican Council mandated such councils to ensure the welfare of the people of God and to effectively communicate all issues pertaining to parish life.
The Diocese's priests elect about half of the members to the council. All priests serving the Diocese can vote in this election. In addition, some priests are members of the council by virtue of their office. The bishop names the remaining members to the council. The main focus in electing members is to reflect the diversity of ministries and regions of the Diocese.
Bishop Paprocki presides over the council and accepts proposals from members. The members serve as a consultative body to the bishop. By law, the Bishop must seek the advice of the council on the following issues: the advisability of a diocesan synod, the modification of parishes, offerings of the faithful, norms for parish councils, the construction of a church or conversion of a church to secular use, or the imposition of a diocesan tax.
Members
- Reverend Michael Berndt
- Reverend Richard Chiola
- Reverend Seth Brown
- Reverend Michael Friedel
- Reverend Michael Meinhart
- Reverend Zachary Samples
- Reverend Hyland Smith
- Reverend Martin Smith
- Reverend Scott Snider
- Reverend Mark Tracy
Deans
- Very Reverend Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F.
- Reverend Monsignor Leo J. Enlow, V.F.
- Very Reverend Jeffrey H. Goeckner, V.F.
- Very Reverend Thomas Hagstrom, V.F.
- Very Reverend John M. Titus, V.F.
Ex officio
- Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, President
- Reverend Monsignor David J. Hoefler, Vicar General
- Very Reverend Brian C. Alford, V.E., Vicar for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations
Appointed
- Very Reverend Christopher A. House, Vicar Judicial
- Reverend Kevin M. Laughery, Liaison for Priests
- Reverend Joseph Molloy, Associate Vicar for Senior Priests
Spiritual Renewal Centers:
- Villa Maria - Catholic Life Center (Springfield)
- Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry (Vandalia)
Health Care Institutions:
- St. Anthony's Health Center (Alton)
- HSHS St. Mary's Hospital (Decatur)
- HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital (Effingham)
- HSHS Holy Family Hospital (Greenville)
- HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital (Highland)
- HSHS St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield)
- Warren Billhartz Cancer Center (Maryville)
- HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital (Shelbyville)
- HSHS St. John's Hospital (Springfield)