Bishop Doherty's Columns

 

The Catholic Moment, April 6, 2025

'...the Church does not have a mission, it is the mission of Jesus Christ'

Recently my office invited 1,268 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) donors to a series of thank-you Masses. Receptions and presentations followed, including my comments illuminating why this is the ‘bishop’s appeal’ for ministry and administrative activities beyond what individual parishes can provide. I sketched some particulars about my duties, and how these support the flourishing of parochial efforts. It occurred to me that a summary is worth publishing.

Since the CMA supports the lion’s share of the bishop’s work, its health is important as I consider the work of my successor. I want to leave him the structure that he will need. Though most bishops my age work until 77 or 78 years, canon law requires that I submit a resignation letter to the Holy Father when I turn 75 late this year. The Pope decides when to accept these letters. So, succession is important for us who are called ‘successors to the apostles’ (Catechism 77, 861-62). Clearly, a bishop is not an accessory, an “add-on” to Church life.
            
Some people ask me what I will do in retirement. Yes, I have a few thoughts but nothing definite. I have lived the adage, “If you want to make God laugh, make plans.”
            
My diocesan responsibilities include sanctifying through sacraments, governing and teaching. At the same time, the CMA pledges help to connect me and our diocese to the Pope’s ministry. I am a member of the college of bishops, and nationally we are organized as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This membership provides resources for the formation of clergy, and the mission of religious education and Catholic grade and high schools. It also represents our interests at the federal level in Washington D.C. in matters such as religious liberty, humanitarian assistance, health care ethics, employment law, immigration and refugee matters. These last things very much affect our ability to invite international priests and sisters into our dioceses. Such has become much more difficult in the twenty-first century.
            
CMA helps fund the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC), a small two-person office in Indianapolis. The five Catholic bishops of Indiana and five lay members comprise its board. It is our Indiana bridge to the legislators in matters relating to education, religious liberty and other social issues. You can find the ICC at https://www.indianacc.org/about
 
All these activities arise from our material reality in space and time. Their forms arise from our creedal foundation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. We remind ourselves that the Church does not have a mission, it is the mission of Jesus Christ.
            
Every bishop has an important responsibility to recruit and educate seminarians. CMA supports our vocations director and our vicar for clergy in this effort. It helps with the continuing formation of our clergy, that is, the bishop, priests and deacons. The CMA helps to sustain organic vitality of the presbyterate which is the union of the bishop with the priests. 

That unity is celebrated at the Chrism Mass which is Tuesday, April 15 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in  Lafayette. The renewal of priestly promises is a highlight of that liturgy. That day we also distribute the holy oils to be used in sacraments during the next twelve months.
            
My capable colleagues in the central administration provide church-required services. The office of the vicar general and the diocesan marriage tribunal are well known. The office of human resources overseas workplace policies and record-keeping for safe environment certifications. There are about 1,600 full and part-time employees among all our sites. The office of administration supervises budgeting, pension and 403 (b) matters, property and health insurance, accounting processes, I.T. and cybersecurity. All of these help parishes and schools to flourish.