News & Press Releases

In an effort to provide those who visit this site with up-to-date information regarding events or stories of interest happening within the diocese, the Secretariat for Communications researches and prepares articles and news releases.

Access to the most recent news is available under "News Headlines" on the home page. Copies of old stories are available by accessing the Archives at the end of the News and Press Release section.

Historic Covenant signing to be held June 18

June 12, 2000
For the past few years the Diocese of Gaylord has been working toward a special relationship with the Lutheran Synod (ELCA) and the two Episcopal Dioceses of Western and Eastern Michigan. This special relationship is being called "a covenant relationship." On June 18, 2000, a joyous prayer service will be held at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord during which will include the signing of the covenant document. All four bishops will sign the document and there will be an opportunity for each person attending to sign the document also. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this historic event. Plans call for this living document to help guide Church life among the faith communities in Northern Lower Michigan. The notion of a covenant includes the idea that this special type of relationship is unbreakable. Thus, those present will be making a public commitment before God to continue to move toward a form of visible unity with Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran brothers and sisters even when this might be difficult. The details of the covenant were sent to parishes almost two years ago so that all might have the opportunity to share concerns and suggestions for the terms of the covenant. All feedback received was considered very seriously and included, if possible, in the final document. Bishop Patrick R. Cooney is asking all Catholics to take the time to prayerfully read and ponder the covenant document. It will soon become part of the official ministry of the Diocese of Gaylord as well as that of our Lutheran and Episcopal partners. "We recognize that there are issues that still divide us, but it is also true that there is much more in our shared belief that unites us," said Fr. Joseph Graff, ecumenical officer for the Diocese of Gaylord. "Will we be able to lessen some of the pain that so many of us have experienced in our own lives because of differences that have existed between these churches in the past? Yes, we will," he added. Each community will be able to discern those areas that affect them the most and work toward mutual solutions. "This covenant relationship is a significant step toward more sharing of our common faith life," said Bishop Cooney. "Imagine the benefits of sharing aspects of joint youth ministry; of a shared visitation to hospitals, prisons, the homebound; of breaking down the misconceptions we have about each other which would promote greater family harmony; of the impact for good we could have on social issues of local importance." Bishop Cooney concluded, "I hope that many will be moved to participate in the June 18 signing ceremony being active witnesses to the very goodness and rightness of this relationship. It is a step in fulfilling the Lord Jesus' prayer when He prayed, 'May they all be one.' (John 17:21)" The actual language of the covenant appears below. A COVENANT AMONG: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN SYNOD THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESES OF EASTERN AND WESTERN MICHIGAN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF GAYLORD It is the will of our Lord Jesus that all his disciples be one. Encouraged by the international, national and regional dialogues among Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics, we celebrate the faithful initiative of our church leaders, past and present, in fostering church unity. Recognizing the desire for the eventual union of Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, we the Bishops of the above named Synod and Dioceses make this joint affirmation and solemn covenant. Together, we affirm that: • Our unity as God's Holy People is a gift which Christ gives to all who, in faith and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek to live according to the will of the Father. • Created in God's image and likeness, we are all recreated in the Body of Christ. • Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Lord of the world, and the living center of our faith. • Jesus' desire for the unity of his followers is a call to all Christians to work for unity in the Church. • The diversity of gifts in our churches is a blessing from God, intended to enrich a wider and fuller communion. • The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome all obstacles that still exist in doctrine, sacramental life, ecclesial structures and moral living so that the full unity of God's Church might be realized. • Baptism is central as the sacrament that binds together all Christians as the People of God and followers of the Christ and destines us to the Eucharistic Table which is the foretaste of the Eternal Kingdom. We, therefore, call upon the People of God in our respective Dioceses and Synod to join in the covenant of mutual sharing as a sign of our recognition of Christ's will for us. To that end, we pledge that we will: • Pray regularly for one another and for the unity of the whole Church, especially at Sunday liturgies, looking forward to the day when we will share the one body of Christ in the Eucharist. • Join in prayer services on special occasions such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Feast of Pentecost, and Thanksgiving. • Strongly encourage the parishes of our Diocese and Synod to enter into covenant relationships with one another, seeking suitable occasions for common prayer, worship, dialogue, education, fellowship and common service. • Respect the dignity and diversity of human life. • Provide occasions for open and frank discussion on non-doctrinal issues which divide or appear to divide us. • Promote effective stewardship and maximum use of resources through encouraging the sharing of, as far as is feasible, our facilities, worship and educational resources, contract services, programs sponsored by our congregations, and the expertise of both clergy and laity. • Actively pursue continued dialogue among us and provide opportunities for sharing our various traditions and, in particular, for studying those documents produced through our dialogues at the national and international levels. • Place no impediment in the way of unity, and strive for the removal of any existing obstacles to unity, while mutually supporting and preserving our respective traditions, according to the mandates of the Gospel. • Work together for justice and for the common good through Christian witness and in areas such as education, social welfare, world peace, social justice, employment, stewardship of creation, housing, environmental preservation, anti-racism, strengthening of family life, multi-cultural acceptance - barrier free parish facilities. • Promote the joint work of our ecumenical leadership, review the goals and achievements of this covenant each year, and explore new avenues of cooperation and continued growth in unity. • Renew this pledge each year publicly, as a sign of our continued commitment to unity, and encourage recognition of the covenant renewal in our congregations. We ask the blessing of God in this covenant, that we might be faithful to it, to the honor and glory of God. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.