25th APG MEETING
(3rd via Zoom)
Minutes of Meeting, 18 March 2023
Welcome – Margaret Morris
(APG President)
OPENING PRAYER – Fr John Armstrong
(APG Spiritual Advisor)
Present:
THE PHILIPPINES: Conrado P Dizon (P); Goreth Z. Bendoy; Jose Hilario
SRI LANKA: Fr. Tony Martyn: Russell
Juriansz (P)
VIETNAM: No representative,
VIETNAM in DIASPORA: Vincent Nguyen Manh Ha (P); John Paul Nghia Nguyen
AUSTRALIA: Anne Moloney (IR); Yvonne Carrigan,
Terrie McLean
TAIWAN (R.O.C.); No representative
US MILITARY KOREA:
Apology
KOREA: Agatha Lee (IR)
APG Exec.: Margaret Morris (P); Fr John Armstrong; Peter McMahon; Rhonda
Porteous;
Apologies: Merran Martin; Fr Emil US Military Korea
English
International Model for
APG
President Margaret referred
all present to the International Model explanation
which all countries received
last week, All countries were asked to discuss the three options for APG and to
decide which option they prefer.
The three
options and decisions by those countries present were
1.
The APG is disbanded and ceases to exist - none
2. A country agrees to be the coordinating country of the APG and the Executive roles are filled
by the country – Australia.
3.
A country agrees to be the
coordinating country of the APG and the Executive is invited from different APG
countries. Vietnam in Diaspora,
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Korea, US Military in Korea (in correspondence).
As the modified
Statute Article 7C calls for the
coordinating country to be elected
by an absolute majority of the
National Secretariats it represents,
it was declared that option 3 will be
observed by the APG. However, Margaret is to contact Vietnam and Taiwan
National Secretariats and ask for their decision.
After this decision
was taken, it was announced
that the Philippines has offered to be the coordinating country of the APG
Election of the APG Executive
Election of the
APG Executive is to take place by email. Margaret called for nominations from
countries for the various roles on the Executive.
•
Conrado was nominated by the Philippines to be the President of APG. He Accepted.
•
Sri Lanka – not at this moment
•
Vietnam in Diaspora, not today, will nominate 1 person after their meeting
•
Australia – no
•
Korea – no
Margaret said this Executive would send an email out to all APG countries
advising that Conrado
has nominated for President but we are looking for nominations for all
other positions.
Ann (Australia) questioned the timeline for filling
positions. Margaret responded that it was outlined by the OMCC Executive and was sent to all International Groups,
that new coordinating countries
be formalised by 31 March. The question then was what
happens if it is not finalised by this time? The suggestion was to advise OMCC
that a country has accepted nomination. Other details would be advised later.
Margaret is to contact
countries not present
with a request for any nominations.
Conrado then spoke
saying the Philippines has accepted the nomination on the proviso
that the Executive of the APG is drawn from other countries in the region.
Article 7A of the modified
Statutes says The services
of each International Group shall be provided by its own Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice President, Spiritual
Advisor, Secretary, and Treasurer.
This Committee is appointed
by the National
Secretariat of the country elected
to be the coordinating country of the International Group.
Conrado then said the Philippines called
for the appointment of the following:
•
Vice President and Spiritual
Advisor from Vietnam
•
Secretary from the Philippines
•
Treasurer from
Taiwan
As we are the current APG until the new Executive
is formed, we will write to Vietnam
and Taiwan on behalf
of the Philippines. Fr John is willing to advise on the processes and protocols
on the new governance and help in overcoming obstacles.
In this letter Conrado asked for Margaret to include a
request for Palanca as many prayers are needed for the process.
Fr John closed the meeting with prayer.