MINUTES

A regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Defense League (CDL) was held pursuant to Notice on January 16, 2007 at the offices of CDL in St. Paul, Minnesota. Present at the Meeting were the following Board Members: President, Patrick Phillips, Merlyn Scroggins, Thomas Schramer, Ed Wollerman, Patrick Shannon, Ray Marshall, Marlene Reid and guest, Beth Wollerman. The Meeting was called to order at 4:10p.m. which began with a prayer to St. Michael and the following business ensued:

1.) President's Report.

Catholic Politicians -- We noted that recent events seem to say that the intent of the local bishops and even the pope militate for a non-confrontational interaction with Catholic politicians who openly defy and work against Church teaching. In today's (1/16/2007) issue of the Pioneer Press an article appeared which was entitled "Benedict's bishops minimize divisions."
Play - The Pope and the Witch -- We asked for and got a clarification from Archbishop Flynn on his position regarding protesting of the performance of the play, The Pope and the Witch. What he requested is that we avoid demonstrations such as picketing which would only increase the play's notoriety and, instead, object through less public means such as complaints to president Bruininks. Although individual members may choose to take a different course, the Catholic Defense League will follow the Archbishop's lead in this effort. Here is what Archbishop Flynn said:
"I would not be in favor of picketing. However, if some of the Catholic graduates wish to withhold their funds they should do so and indicate why they are doing it. I think that is a very clear message to the University. I believe that picketing only brings more attention to the play and as a result more people will attend it.
"You may tell them that I have met with the President and expressed the dismay of this local Church for the insult that is being perpetrated against the Church by permitting this play to go on. He obviously is in an awkward position because if it does go on he will be faced with tremendous challenges. I believe that interested people can just withhold their funds from the University and I think that should be very effective."

Catholic League -- It was noted that the Catholic League has regional offices. Pat Phillips will try to determine what, if any, mutual efforts might be made.
Lobbyists -- Many parties have noted that the newly installed Democratic House of Representatives is trying to create legislation that would brand us, and many other organizations such as larger churches, that would prevent us from speaking out on major issues. An analysis of this legislation is available on the web site of the ACLJ, American Center for Law and Justice, www.aclj.org. CDL will prepare a web site with relevant information and links with the URL of www.cdlmn.org/lobby. It will be available by Monday, January 22, 2007.
Islam -- Board members were encouraged to become familiar with the book "The West's Last Chance".
CEDAW Marlene Reid has done more research on this issue. This issue is vital and deserves very close attention. All are urged to contact Senators Coleman and Klobuchar and representative McCollum. More information will be posted on a dedicated web site within our overall web pages. Watch our blog site, cdlmn.org/cdl, for new information.
2.) Minutes. The minutes from the last Board meeting, which was in November of last year, were submitted and reviewed for approval and acceptance. Upon a motion duly made seconded and unanimously passed, it was,

RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Board Meeting in November be and the same hereby are accepted..

4.) Treasurer's Report. Cletus faxed financial information to the office and members reviewed it cursorily. Tom Schramer commented on the pages but had not had a chance prior to that to review them. The information was accepted subject to later review and modification.

5.) Defender. We are scheduled to produce a new issue of the Defender in March. If possible we will strive for a mid-February date so that material on "The Pope and the Witch" would be more relevant.

MINUTES OF THE JAN 16, 2007 MEETING OF THE BOARD

THE CATHOLIC DEFENSE LEAGUE