About AOFP

Mission

Mission

The Association for the Ongoing Formation of Priests is a membership association of dioceses, religious communities, and other interested organizations and individuals committed to the Church’s mission to promote and support ongoing formation for priests and presbyterates.

By engaging in dialogue about contemporary pastoral needs and realities, by sponsoring research on issues of presbyteral formation, and by offering educational opportunities, AOFP collaborates with others to foster a culture of formation within the Church for bishops, priests, deacons, and all the Church’s ministers.

In this way AOFP promotes ongoing formation and assists and encourages faithful, healthy, holy and effective ministry in the Church.

Adopted by Board of Directors, June 23, 2020
Approved by AOFP Membership, February 23, 2021

Historical Roots

Historical Roots

The roots of AOFP can be traced to a 1973 meeting of directors and committee chairs of continuing education of priests convened by the National Federation of Priests' Councils. During this meeting at the University of Notre Dame, NOCERCC (National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy) was born, a Board of Directors was named with representation from each episcopal region, and the first president was elected.

The first representative for religious institutes with priest members was elected to the Board in 1974.

In October 1979, NOCERCC established its National Office in Chicago.

The first full-time executive director was appointed in July 1989.

Strategic Directions

Strategic Directions
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Mission
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Strategy 1:

To revise the Mission Statement so as both to maintain NOCERCC’s primary, historical commitment to promoting and supporting ongoing formation for diocesan and religious priests and to broaden NOCERCC’s mission to include other constituencies, make explicit NOCERCC’s leadership role and commitment to presbyterates, and acknowledge the necessary involvement of the entire People of God in promoting a culture of formation within the Church.

Strategy 2:

To promote and facilitate implementation of the U.S. bishops’ The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, and to provide programs, products, and services toward that end.

Strategy 3:

Mindful of the essential role of priests and presbyterates in serving the communion of the Body of Christ, NOCERCC raises awareness and promotes mutual commitment to the fundamental value and dynamic of ongoing formation of priests among all Church members.

Strategy 4:

To strengthen development and management of NOCERCC’s financial resources by:
- Building an integrated, diversified and sustainable development program;
- Developing new sources of revenue while continuing prudently to manage expenses so as to achieve a consistent annual surplus by at least FY 2008.
Strategy 5:

To evaluate and consider change in the name of the organization.
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Membership
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Strategy 1:

To assure continuing support for diocesan and community directors and committees.

Strategy 2:

To develop a more flexible membership structure to attract a broader constituency.

Strategy 3:

To expand membership opportunities for interested individuals.

Strategy 4:

To pursue actively the voice and participation of priests from all cultures, races, and generations.

Strategy 5:

To confer with partner organizations by exploring opportunities for reciprocal affiliation and maximizing existing and potential interorganizational collaboration.

Strategy 6:

To evaluate and, if appropriate, redesign the membership pricing structure in order to assure that NOCERCC membership remains cost-effective and affordable.
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Governance
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Strategy 1:

To establish a limited-term Implementation Team, to be appointed by the President with the consent of the present Board of Directors, to propose to the Board any changes in the By-Laws necessitated by adoption of these strategies and to manage, in collaboration with the Board and the Executive Director, implementation of NOCERCC’s strategic direction.

Strategy 2:

To redesign NOCERCC’s elected leadership structure to include the following components:
- A Governing Council of approximately 20 member representatives elected by the 14 episcopal regions, the religious community membership, and other member groups;
- A new Board of Directors of five members: the President; three members appointed by the Council, one of whom the Council chooses as Vice President; and the Executive Director, who does not vote;
- A President elected by the membership every three years, who first takes office as President-Elect for one year, and then assumes the office of President for three years.
The membership would continue to be convened in an annual Business Meeting at the National Convention and would continue to approve any changes in the By-Laws.

Adopted by Board of Directors, June 23, 2005