3/18/2010
Called to be Father
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 | Most Rev. John Vlazny
Archbishop of Portland |
This coming June we bishops of the United States will be gathering for our annual spring assembly in Tampa, Fla. Every three years the June assembly is a “quasi” retreat rather than a business session. This year the Planning Committee, headed by Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, has chosen as our theme, “The Bishop as Agent of Hope for his Priests.” It seems especially appropriate since our gathering is taking place at the end of this Year of the Priest.
The specific nature of our reflections on the first day will focus on the bishop as father, brother and friend to his priests. I have been invited to offer some thoughts about the bishop’s role as father to his priests. Such an invitation would not have come my way 25 years ago when I was a rookie bishop in Chicago. In fact, back in those days I felt like “a little brother” to the priests there. My youth and my inexperience validated that impression. In fact, the first time I ever ordained a priest, I was a 47-year-old auxiliary bishop. The man I was ordaining was 69. I told him it would be very hard for me to address him as “my son,” as suggested in the ritual for ordination!
At just about the same time as I received this invitation to speak in June, I was also invited by the newly elected abbot of Mount Angel Abbey, the Right Rev. Gregory Duerr, OSB, to preside at his blessing on Feb. 26. An abbot truly is the father of his community. In fact, his title is taken from the Aramaic word abba, which means father. In preparing the homily for Abbot Gregory’s blessing I gave a lot of thought to what his spiritual fatherhood for the monks and mine for my priests is all about. Quite appropriately I consulted St. Benedict’s Rule to see what this saintly founder of the Benedictines had to say about the ministry of an abbot and, by way of association, a bishop’s ministry among his priests.
Even though I was speaking to a Benedictine community, I brashly opened my remarks by referring to an observation St. Augustine made long ago about an abbot’s responsibility. He wrote, “Whoever leads among you must not consider himself happy to dominate by power, but must serve by charity. May he be elevated above your heads, speak for you, by honor, and prostrate at your feet, before God, by fear. May he offer everyone an example of good works, correct the turbulent, encourage the fearful, sustain the weak, be patient towards all… and always remember that he will render an account to God on the issue. That is why, in obeying, have pity not only for yourselves, but also for him, because, the more his status is raised among you, the greater his responsibility.”
In thinking about those words of Augustine, I thought about all you good people who assume the role of parent. Mothers and fathers know that theirs is indeed a service of love and not one of power. Good example, loving correction, constant encouragement, patience in all things — these are such important qualities for effective fatherhood and motherhood, be these responsibilities carried out in a home, in a monastery, in a convent, in a presbyterate. In Chapter 64 of his holy rule, St. Benedict, in speaking about the responsibilities of an abbot, describes discretion as the mother of virtues. He goes on to say that a monk, as abbot, must manage everything in the monastery so that the strong may have ideals to inspire them and the weak may not be frightened away by excessive demands. All good fathers should reflect such a balanced approach to life, supervision and service. Fathers of families understand this better than most.
In Chapter 2 of his holy rule St. Benedict talks about the gifts needed by an abbot, gifts which I judge to be equally necessary for anyone who is called to serve as a father. As disciples of Jesus, those with such a calling need to understand that they take the place of Christ in the community or family. Above all, a father must be a leaven of holiness for his charges. Some day God will hold him accountable for his teaching and for the obedience of those over whom he exercises authority and responsibility. Fathers can’t play the blame game. They must do their best to promote good behavior. When teaching, example counts a lot more than words, although words themselves are indeed important. Fathers need to be mindful of the words of Jesus, “You notice a speck of dust in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam in your own.”
Benedict offers great caution about playing favorites. The only situation that seems acceptable for showing some preference occurs when a member of the family excels in good works or is extraordinarily humble and gracious in dealing with others. Equality in both affection and discipline must be the hallmark of a father’s treatment of his children. Both the encouragement of a loving parent and the threats of a disciplinarian are needed at times. When monks are undisciplined and unruly, they need to be criticized more sternly. So says Benedict!
Wrongdoing must never be tolerated. Defiance and resistance should be punished. The task of guiding souls and serving the needs of others is a sacred trust. Once again discretion calls for adaptation “with sympathetic understanding to the needs of each.” As abbots are reminded that the salvation of those entrusted to their care is of primary concern, so too are all entrusted with fatherly responsibilities. Parents want many blessings for their children. Bishops desire the same for their priests. But the greatest and most important blessing is a “happy ending” on the last day when each one must give an account of his or her stewardship.
In Chapter 3 of his rule St. Benedict reminds an abbot to call his community together for consultation about important matters. Benedict says that young members should be heeded just as much as the elders. In fact he says, “It often happens that the Lord makes the best course clear to one of the youngest.” Then he states “Whereas it is right for subordinates to obey their superior, it is just as important for the superior to be far-sighted and fair in administration.”
With nearly four months on the job now, Abbot Gregory has a much better sense today than he did last year of what it means to be truly the father of his community. Over these 26 years that it has been my privilege to serve as a bishop, I too have come to a greater understanding of the spiritual fatherhood which is mine, particularly in my relationship with our priests. My days as “little brother” are long past!
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