Chapter Nine

The Ministry and Life of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons

Renewing the Priesthood

Christ gave the Church its ministry: As a means to provide grace through the sacraments To give the Church authority and mission To guide its members to heaven There is a current shortage of priests in North America which has led to struggles among the faithful and the clergy Each year more priests reach retirement age or die and are not being replaced in like numbers by newly ordained men

Role of the Bishop

Bishops are always chosen and anointed by the Pope Province meetings are held in order to consider and promote names of priests who might be worthy candidates for the episcopacy Main roles:

To teach

To sanctify.

To govern

An archbishop governs a diocese that is usually greater in size or prestige than others A Titular bishop is the title given to bishops who are not ordinaries of their own dioceses so that they can head dioceses that once existed in areas of the world where there are not many Christians The title of cardinal is given to some bishops and archbishops who have the largest dioceses in their countries

Role of the Bishop

Bishop as a Teacher

Bishops have the power to call all people to belief and to strengthen those who already have a living faith They teach people how to pray and worship the Lord, thus leading them to eternal life Bishops teach on three levels: In his own diocese Training of catechists/ Setting curriculum National level

Bishop as a Teacher

Within a diocese Bishop teaches directly to his people and through his priests Regular visits to parishes Training of catechists/ Curriculum setting Bishop sets the curriculum for religious instruction that is based on Scripture, Tradition, liturgy, and the teaching authority and life in the Church Holds responsibility to teach all people in his diocese, not only Catholics

Infallibility: gift of the Church offered by Christ whereby it is protected from error in matters of faith and morals National Level Working with conference groups of bishops from their own country to address issues that impact the entire world Guided by the Holy Spirit, the college of bishops, in union with the Pope, can exercise the gift of infallibility when teaching about matters of faith or morality

Bishop as a Teacher

Bishops encourage ecumenism and befriending those who do not share the Catholic faith

Bishops take up the task of helping people achieve perfection The Bishop pays special attention to the spiritual, intellectual, and material needs of his priests Provide opportunities for priests to continue studies in theology or take retreats to refresh themselves spiritually

Bishop as a Priest

The bishop, priests, deacons, and laity are on a journey together- the journey to perfection of eternal life

The bishop is the focus of this journey, marking the way and making it holy

Bishop as a Priest

Role of a Priest

Preach the gospel

Celebrate divine worship

Provide pastoral governance

Priests are bound to a particular geographic area and called to live among a particular group of people The priests are then not only a physical presence in a parish, but one that is emotionally and spiritually connected to the people After ordination, priests are assigned to a parish where they are likely to work well with the current pastor Very rarely is a newly ordained priest installed as a pastor right after ordination

Life of a Parish Priest

Life of a Parish Priest

Visiting the sick

Visit people in homes

Visit children in school

Work with parish communities

Mentoring

Preaching mass

Daily Activities:

Deacons serve at liturgy and are also in service to the needs of the entire Church and world

In liturgy, may serve: As a minister of the Word of God As an ordinary minister at a baptism As an officiate at the sacrament of matrimony Conducting funerals apart from mass Being the minister of benediction

Role of Permanent Deacon

Role of Permanent Deacon

Requirements of Deacons Mature Roman Catholic males, married or single, firm in work and career, and of sound moral character If the candidate is married, he must be in a stable marriage of at least 5 to 10 years and have consent and support of his wife The man should demonstrate potential of developing ministerial skills Committed to a life of prayer Some dioceses require at least 2 years of college Some previous experience of active apostolic involvement in leadership and service

Vocations of religious life and priesthood are a road less traveled

Besides being essential for the hierarchical and sacramental ministry, the life of a priest is meaningful, satisfying, and never boring

Rewards of Holy Orders

Archbishop

Nuncio

Sees

Infallibility

Ecumenism

Rectory

Ignatian Spirituality

Benediction

Diakonia

Vocabulary