Obedience to bishops binds priests

by Letters Editor · January 2, 2014

From Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban

In order to re-situate the debate about the response to the critique of the book God, Love, Life and Sex in its proper context, it is necessary to take a closer look at the relationship between a deacon or a priest and his bishop, as well as the teaching authority of the Church into which his ordination introduces him.

“…crucial because it establishes a very real and sacramental bond between the new deacon or priest and the bishop into whose ministry he is ordained” (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Diaconate: During his ordination to the diaconate, the candidate is questioned about his willingness and commitment to:

� Be consecrated for the Church�s ministry;

� Discharge the office of deacon with humble charity in order to assist the priestly order;

� Hold fast to the mystery of faith in word and deed according to the Gospel and the Church�s tradition.

Then he is asked to promise respect and obedience to his bishop or ordinary or legitimate superior.

It is on the basis of these commitments and this promise of respect and obedience that he is accepted for ordination.

Priesthood: The candidate to the priesthood is questioned about his willingness and commitment to:

� Discharge the office of priesthood…as worthy fellow workers with the order of bishops;

� Exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith;

� Celebrate faithfully and reverently…the mysteries of Christ, especially the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation;

� Implore…God�s mercy upon the people entrusted to his care by observing the command to pray without ceasing;

� Be united more closely every day to Christ…and with him to consecrate himself to God.

There follows the candidate�s promise to respect and obedience as described above.

With all due respect, Prof Brian Gaybba (November 27), I fail to see how the development of doctrine comes into what is plainly asked and promised during that most crucial part of the ordination ceremony, crucial because it establishes a very real and sacramental bond between the new deacon or priest and the bishop into whose ministry he is ordained as a key collaborator with his bishop.

Surely the essence of the argument is the relationship of obedience and loyalty between on the one hand the bishop and the Church, and on the other hand the priest and his bishop, and through him with the Church.

The intimate nature of the bishop-priest relationship is further enhanced by the fact that a priest cannot function as a priest unless his bishop has granted him the faculties to exercise his priestly ministry in the diocese.

If there has been development of doctrine in this regard, then this is the point to which the last ecumenical council, the highest authority in the Catholic Church, has brought us.