Bishops

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to cure every disease and every sickness (Matthew 10:1).

            Some time ago, I was talking to a woman about a recent papal statement. “I like how the Pope teaches in such a clear and forceful manner”, the person said. When I noted the Canadian Bishops had issued a Pastoral Letter on the same issue, she was unimpressed. “What the Bishops say doesn’t really matter”, the woman replied. Clearly, there are Catholics who fail to appreciate the special role Bishops play in the Church.

            In this text from Matthew, Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits and to cure every disease. By doing so, he started the process of forming Bishops as leaders in the Church.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament Israel’s leaders were often seen as chosen by God. It was God who prompted Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons with oil and establish the Jewish Priesthood. God also revealed to Samuel that Saul and later David were to become kings of Israel. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel received their commission directly from God. This divine sanction gave them confidence when they faced doubts and a reply when their credentials were questioned by opponents. Such leaders were perceived as God’s instruments on earth whether they offered sacrifice in the Temple, led Israel into battle against its foes or warned the people about idolatry or unjust social conditions. While some of Israel’s leaders were corrupt, God insured salvation history unfolded through them.

            Matthew’s account of Christ sending out the twelve apostles stressed their leadership role within the community. While Jesus had many disciples, these twelve were specifically identified by name and earlier had heard a number of his teachings and witnessed his miracles. This meant their testimony and ministry came from a personal experience of Christ’s authority. In addition, they were the ones Jesus called to undertake the mission and were given the power to do so. The directions they received told them where they were to go and to whom they would minister (the community of Israel). Through this small group of dedicated leaders, Christ’s mission would be expanded to touch the lives of more people. Later, the authority to bind and loose, first given to Peter, was expanded to include the larger community which implied its leaders, the Twelve. As time passed, the Twelve and their successors the Bishops, became the solid foundation on which the Church was built after Jesus returned to his Father.

            The important role Bishops play within the Church was clarified during Vatican II in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church and the Decree on the Bishops. These documents taught a Bishop is not simply a branch manager who implements within his Diocese whatever the Pope decides. His authority comes directly from the Apostles although it is exercised in communion with the Pope and other Bishops. His role is to apply Church teaching to the specific situation of his Diocese. He is also to respond to issues particular to his local Church. Through the Synod of Bishops, established after Vatican II, these local leaders are to contribute their observations and ideas about broader issues to enable the better governance of the Church. While a Bishop’s or Conference of Bishops Pastoral Letter does not have the same authority as a Papal Encyclical, it is still part of Church teaching and deserves careful consideration.

            Nevertheless, many Catholics and non-Catholics in our modern world do not appreciate the role of a Bishop as a Church leader. When they want to know the Catholic position on some issue or learn what is happening in the Church, they frequently obtain their information from a statement by the Pope or a High Vatican Official. Bishops are the clergy who do Confirmations and deal with local complaints. While our Church needs the sense of unity and order provided by the Pope, it is also a community made up of many nationalities, languages and cultures. Bishops help make Church teaching connect with the local environment. Every institution must respond to issues on multiple levels in an integrated way. Bishops are an important part of this process. They have access to local situations which can help the universal Church better understand the world to which it ministers and the 2,000-year tradition which gives a better perspective on them.

            Visiting the website of a Diocese, Regional Assembly or National Conference is one way to better appreciate the Bishop’s role within our Church. When an important issue arises which involves the Church, many Catholics obtain their information from secular news media. Some of these stories contain factual errors; fail to explain the reasons behind a Church teaching or have an anti-Catholic or anti-religious bias. Although Catholic media outlets can provide more reliable information, most websites of a Diocese, Regional Assembly or National Conference contain the actual documents issued or statements made rather than summaries or interpretations so people can draw their own conclusions. Either individually or collectively Bishops are responsible for providing Church teachings accurately.

            Sadly, many people, like the woman I described, don’t value the Bishop’s role. Perhaps if they better understood it, this attitude would change.

June 18, 2023