The Episcopal Office Is Not an Honor
The Episcopal Office Is Not an Honor
At this time, as the Church prepares for the ordination of a number of bishops, it is important to affirm a fundamental principle: the episcopacy is not an honor, but a responsibility.
The episcopal office is not a position of prestige, but one of accountability.
Many may love the office and desire it, yet are not fit for it; while few are fit for it, yet realize its weight and therefore flee from it. In reality, the episcopacy is a sacrificial work, in which the bishop offers himself for the sake of the Church.
He gives no sleep to his eyes, nor slumber to his eyelids, until he finds a dwelling place for the Lord in the heart of every person.
From one perspective, the bishop resembles the order of the Seraphim, in that they are “full of eyes.” He looks in every direction that concerns pastoral care and the flock. Thus, according to the expression of Scripture, he is a watchman over the people.
He is required to be full of the Holy Spirit, wise, apt to teach, not a lover of money. His heart must be filled with love, and his will with firmness. He must be spiritual, a leader, a role model, and a thoughtful, capable administrator. Therefore, Scripture says:
“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38).
Undoubtedly, the Church in these days is in need of fervent, deep, and abundant prayers concerning the ordination of new bishops.
We need prayers that God may choose those who can bear this responsibility—those who will be suitable instruments in His hands and mighty weapons of the Spirit.
We need prayers that the Lord may guide the division, organization, and proper administration—financially and administratively—of the dioceses.
And since all the diocesan communities have entrusted the Pope Patriarch with the choice of their bishops, this deepens the responsibility upon him even more. Let us all pray to God to grant the Pope Patriarch fullness of wisdom and fullness of the Spirit to govern these dioceses. May God speak through his mouth, and may the hand of God be with his hand as he lays his apostolic hand in the ordination of these bishops.
In all this, we thank God for the wondrous peace He grants to the Church. Four or five dioceses are proceeding toward the selection of their bishops in remarkable calm, unity of purpose, and complete cooperation between the Chief Shepherd and the flock.
It is a golden opportunity for these dioceses that the Lord may choose for them bishops according to His own heart—bishops who work not for their own honor, but for the salvation of people and the Kingdom of God, with a spiritual approach to pastoral care and a sacred understanding of fatherhood and leadership.
It is an opportunity to lay new foundations for service, to establish divine principles for priestly ministry, and to begin a new chapter in the history of these dioceses.
