The episcopal office is not an honor but a responsibility
The episcopal office is not an honor but a responsibility
At this time when the Church is preparing for the ordination of a number of bishops, it is important for us to record an important principle, which is that the episcopacy is not an honor but a responsibility.
Many may love the office and desire it, yet they are not fit for it. And few are fit, yet they flee from it.
The episcopacy, in its true reality, is a redemptive 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 place for the Lord in the heart of every person. The bishop—from one angle—resembles the order of the Seraphim in that they are “full of eyes.” He looks in every direction that touches the care and the flock. Therefore, according to the expression of Scripture, he is a “watchman” over the people.
It is required of him to be filled with the Holy Spirit, wise, apt to teach, not a lover of money. It is required of him to have a heart filled with love, and a will filled with firmness. It is required of him to be spiritual, to be a leader, to be an example, and to be a thinking, managing head. Therefore the Scripture said:
“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
There is no doubt that the Church in these days needs fervent, deep, and abundant prayers concerning the matter of the ordination of new bishops.
We need prayers that God may choose those who can bear that responsibility, those who will be good instruments in His hands, and strong weapons among the weapons of the Spirit.
We need prayers that the Lord may guide the division and organization of the dioceses as it should be, and their financial and administrative management.
And if the people of all the dioceses have delegated the Pope Patriarch in choosing their bishops, this deepens the responsibility even more upon the Pope. Therefore, let us all pray to God to grant the Pope Patriarch fullness of wisdom and fullness of the Spirit for the management of these dioceses. May God speak through his mouth, and may the hand of God be in his hand when he places his apostolic hand in the ordination of these bishops.
In all this, we thank God for His wondrous peace which He grants to the Church.
Five dioceses or four are proceeding in the choice of their bishops in wondrous calm, in unity of word, and in 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 heart, who work not for their own honor, but for the salvation of people and the Kingdom of God, with a spiritual approach in pastoral care, with a sacred concept of fatherhood and leadership. It is an opportunity to lay new foundations for service, to establish divine principles for the work of the priesthood, and to begin a new page in the history of these dioceses.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Fifth Year – Issue No. 12 – December 21, 1974
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