How can a diocesan bishop help his priests live with fidelity, joy and elegance the charism of celibacy?
First of all, a bishop must be convinced about the charism of celibacy. Celibacy is a special gift from the Holy Spirit. It is called a charism. It is a beautiful gift for the Church.
The celibate priest, in and through his body; i.e., through his very physical reality, is a sign or a witness not only of his total gift of himself to his bride, the Church, but he is also physically, through his body, pointing the way to the eschatological reality of eternal life.
A bishop must strive to live the charism of celibacy and be passionate about helping the priests of his diocese to live out the charism as well. Is the bishop convinced about the charism of celibacy or is he waiting for the Church to allow married priests? Is he going to help his priests to be faithful or does he believe that he should not get involved in the private lives of his clergy?
Secondly, if a bishop is convinced about the charism of celibacy, he will then encourage his priests to be faithful. By being a continual source of encouragement in their ministry and by creating a climate of fraternity among the priests of his diocese, a bishop plays a key role in helping his priests.
A bishop can do all of this by being close to his priests. He can conduct monthly days of recollection. He can invite all of his priests to his home for lunch or dinner, and eat frequently with his priests in their respective rectories.
When one of his priests seeks his help about his own personal struggles, a bishop must always be a father, a brother, a friend, and a shepherd.
Thirdly, a bishop can help his priests live out the charism of celibacy by being vigilant.
The first red flag that indicate that a priest may be in big trouble is when the parish finances are not in order.
Is the parish computer accounting system connected to the diocese so that the finance of the parish can be reviewed? Is the pastor sending in regular financial reports? Does the parish have a finance council that meets regularly?
A vigilant bishop may find that troubled priests are passing on to the parish extravagant expenditures for food, drink, entertainment and travel.
A vigilant bishop will be aware of these things and hold his priests accountable.
Aside from the parish finances, a bishop should know where his priests are. When a priest leaves his parish for an extended period of time, such as a vacation or a home visit, he should tell his bishop of his whereabouts. A bishop should be concerned about priests who frequently go on cruises or visit exotic places on their own.
A bishop should visit rectories often and unannounced. He needs to check up on his priests. He should knock on doors and find out if his priests are being mature, authentic and coherent. What are his priests reading? What are they watching on television? What are they looking at on the Internet?
A bishop plays a key role in helping his priests to be faithful. This of course is nothing new. Many years ago the Bishops of the Catholic Church spoke about their role with their priests in the Vatican II document Christus Dominus. Here is what they said about their own duties toward their priests:
“Bishops should always embrace priests with a special love since the latter to the best of their ability assume the bishops’ anxieties and carry them on day by day so zealously. They should regard the priests as sons and friends and be ready to listen to them. Through their trusting familiarity with their priests they should strive to promote the whole pastoral work of the entire diocese.
They should be solicitous for the spiritual, intellectual and material welfare of the priests so that the latter can live holy and pious lives and fulfill their ministry faithfully and fruitfully. Therefore, they should encourage institutes and hold special meetings in which priests might gather from time to time both for the performance of longer exercises and the renewal of their spiritual life and for the acquisition of deeper subjects, especially Sacred Scripture and theology, the more important social questions, and the new methods of pastoral activity.
With active mercy bishops should pursue priests who are involved in any danger or who have failed in certain respects” (Vatican II, CD, 2.16).
Catholic priests are living out their priestly calling within very challenging and difficult circumstances. A priest’s bishop plays a crucial role in helping him remain a good and holy priest.
Reflections for the Year for Priests – CELIBACY AND THE ROLE OF A BISHOP
http://tob.catholicexchange.com/2009/11/18/1390/