The Mission and Vision
The Mission
The Christopher Inn International seeks to provide Catholic bishops and priests with an international setting in which to experience the presbyterate as a universal community of pastors helping one another, fellow pilgrims in solidarity of faith and service. The natural beauty of this environment will provide relaxation and an ideal setting for the priest to continue his ongoing personal formation—human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral—and to strengthen his sense of communion with all the brothers in the presbyterate.
The Vision
The Place
◆ “House for clerics”
◆ Spacious, private, secure environment
◆ Beautiful, peaceful, dignified, yet comfortable and non-institutional
◆ Extensive library with materials specific to priesthood and priestly ministry
◆ Conference rooms or other large rooms suitable for conferences/discussion
◆ Relaxed atmosphere
◆ Extensive grounds suitable for various types of exercise, relaxation and meditation
◆ Recreation—offering a number of opportunities for physical recreation
◆ Media available—video library, archived courses, etc.
◆ Use of technology—to form, inform, unite, connect, and encourage
◆ Gracious guest rooms
The Guests
◆ Exclusively for Catholic bishops and priests
The Formation Course
◆ On-going personal formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral
◆ Presented by bishops, priests, theologians and other experts in priestly life and ministry
◆ Under the direction of an resident priest presenter
◆ Practical, non-accredited, in a non-institutional setting
◆ One and two week courses
◆ Responsive to the particular needs of priests in different areas of the world
◆ Presenters available after sessions
◆ Confessors and spiritual directors available on-site
Down Time
◆ Chapel with reservation of the Blessed Sacrament
◆ Plenty of time for relaxation, meditation, recreation, and priestly fraternity
The Presenters
◆ Bishops, priests, theologians and experts in appropriate fields
The Management/Staff
◆ Lay people provide and maintain the place where bishops and priests can come together for ongoing personal formation, priestly fraternity, relaxation, and recreation
◆ Executive board
◆ Clergy advisors
◆ Lay operated
◆ Lay funded
The Support
◆ Donations accepted worldwide
◆ Goods donated—internationally
◆ Endowments—Operational and Scholarship
◆ Scholarships available
◆ Laity encouraged to gift priests with a stay at The Christopher Inn International
◆ Gift certificates available
The Website
The Christopher Inn International will also offer ongoing support to Catholic clergy through its website—CI Online.
CI Online is envisioned as a web-based resource dedicated to assisting priests in continuing the “fiat” to God that is at the heart of their vocation. Catholic clergy worldwide will be able to use CI Online to engage in ongoing personal formation, and to share knowledge and advice related to pastoral concerns.
CI Online will avoid entering into the fray of theological and ecclesiastical disputes because it is envisioned as a site which should lift the spirits of all priests. CI Online will endeavor to present the Church in its teachings, sacraments, and charity as that “pearl of great price” which is a great gift of God to the world. The site, while addressing the difficulties and challenges priests sometimes face, will seek to convey the honor and privilege all priests share in their role as “other Christs.”
CI Online has as its target audience Catholic bishops and priests, and access to the site will be limited to Catholic clergy. The website will take full advantage of technologies emerging within the Internet. Content will be well-organized and frequently updated.

1. Congregation for the Clergy,
Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 27
2. Ecumenical Council Vatican II, Decree
Presbyterum Ordinis, 12-14
3. Pope Saint John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Pastores Dabo Vobis, 69
4. Congregation for the Clergy,
Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 84
5.
Ibid., 90
6. Pope Saint John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Pastores Dabo Vobis, 78