On 29 June, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul’s martyrdom, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed Fr Joseph Alessandro OFM Cap as a coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of Garissa in Kenya. The canonical term “coadjutor bishop” means a bishop who is chosen to help the actual diocesan bishop in the running of the diocese.
The word coadjutor (in Latin co-assister) refers to a bishop who is confided with an authority even beyond that normally entrusted to the vicar-general. Thus, a coadjutor bishop is a co-ruler of the diocese in everything, save ceremonial precedence. Today, the coadjutor naturally succeeds the present bishop of the diocese upon the latter’s eventual retirement, replacement or demise.
This happy occasion calls for a genuine appreciation of the Episcopal ministry. The spiritual image of the bishop is that of Christ, the High Priest and Shepherd of Souls. Christ is the model of the Episcopal calling and ministry. The Gospels represent him as the shepherd who is constantly seeking the lost sheep (see Luke 15: 4-7).
Jesus speaks of himself as being the ‘Good’ Shepherd of the Flock (see John 10: 11, 14, 16; Mt 26: 31; Mk 14: 27). He is recognised by the apostolic community with the subsequent titles: ‘Shepherd and Guardian of... Souls’ (1 Pt 2:25), ‘Chief Shepherd’ (1 Pt 5:4), and ‘Great Shepherd of the Sheep’ (Heb 13:20), raised from the dead by the Father. In the book of Revelation, the Risen Lord is portrayed as the Lamb-Shepherd (cf. Rev 7:17) who unites in himself the reality of the sacrificial Paschal offering and salvation, as well as the figure of priest and shepherd from the Old and New Testaments.
In virtue of his episcopal office, the bishop is the one who represents Jesus Christ as the centre of the Christian community. That is why Saint Ignatius of Antioch wrote to the Symrnaeans: “Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” According to Saint Augustine “the Bishops (are) the superintendents and as it were the guardians of the people. … The Bishop superintends, in that he looks over…”. Even if the bishop himself personally experiences tremendous weakness he is direly needed to shepherd God’s flock. Thus, the Doctor of Grace continues: “How then can we guard you? As men: as far as we are able, as far as we have received power. And because we guard you like men, and cannot guard you perfectly, shall you therefore remain without a keeper?”
Hence, the Episcopal ministry in the Church becomes, in Saint Augustine’s words, an amoris officium, a “ministry of love”, since it relishes from itself a service of unity, communion and mission. Consequently, this “ministry of love” always returns to its archetype, Christ, under the title ‘Shepherd’ and all the expressions which emanate from it.
Although he holds the sanctifying office, the bishop sins like everybody else. He needs to be converted each and every single day to God. Saint Augustine humbly and beautifully portrays this undeniable reality when he talks about the bishops. “For we guard you in our office of stewards; but we wish to be guarded together with you We are as it were shepherds unto you; but beneath that Shepherd we are fellow-sheep with you. We are as it were your teachers from this station; but beneath Him, the One Master, we are schoolfellows with you in this school” (Exposition on Psalm 127).
Lord Jesus may you increase and I decrease. Dear Fr Joe, make this prayer your daily bread and butter!
May God be with you!
■ Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap