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 govern
To sanctify.

Role of the Bishop

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

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

Bishop as a Teacher
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

Infallibility: gift of the Church offered by Christ

whereby it is protected from error in matters of faith
and morals

Bishop as a Priest
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

Bishops encourage ecumenism and befriending

those who do not share the Catholic faith

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

Role of a Priest
Preach the gospel

Celebrate divine worship

Provide pastoral governance

Life of a Parish Priest

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

Daily Activities:

Visit children in school

Visiting the sick

Preaching mass

Mentoring
Visit people in homes
Work with parish
communities

Role of Permanent Deacon

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

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

Rewards of Holy Orders

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

Vocabulary
Archbishop
Nuncio
Sees
Infallibility
Ecumenism
Rectory
Ignatian Spirituality
Benediction
Diakonia