Page 12 - The Priest, Summer 2015

2. Religious priests in parishes: living the religious charism in the daily life of our paro- chial setting
I would like to open this section with a blast from the past! Namely, that often quoted great document of Vatican II, the Decree concerning the Pastoral Of ce of Bishops in the Church, Christus Dominus:
All presbyters, both diocesan and reli- gious, participate in and exercise with the bishop the one priesthood of Christ and are thereby constituted prudent co- operators of the episcopal order.6
The onus is then on us Religious in numbers 33 and 34:
All Religious have the duty, each accord- ing to his proper vocation, of cooperat- ing zealously and diligently in building up and increasing the whole Mystical Body of Christ and for the good of the particular churches.7
Religious priests are by consecration as- sumed into the responsibilities of the presbyterate so as to become themselves the prudent cooperators of the episco- pal order. Today they can be of even greater help to bishops in view of the greater needs of souls. Therefore, they can be said in a real sense to belong to the clergy of the diocese inasmuch as they share in the care of souls and in car- rying out works of the apostolate under the authority of the prelates.8
Dear brothers, Religious priests are not given to dioceses simply to ll in parishes that cannot be staffed by the diocesan clergy. No, they are called by their very vocation to work for the cura animarum. This cooperative way forward is also given to us in Christus Dominus:
A well-ordered cooperation is to be encouraged between various religious communities and between them and the diocesan clergy. There should also be a very close coordination of all apostolic works and activities which especially depend upon a supernatural attitude of hearts and minds, rooted in and found- ed upon charity.9
6 Vatican II, Christus Dominus. 28 October 1965, no. 28.
7 Christus Dominus, no. 33.
8 Christus Dominus, no. 34.
9 Christus Dominus, no. 35.
12 – Summer 2015
Call to communion
So what is this cooperation that the Church call us to, both Religious and di- ocesan priests? Vita Consecrata points us in the right direction:
Consecrated persons are called to be a leaven of communion at the service of the mission of the universal Church by the very fact that the manifold charisms of their respective Institutes are granted by the Holy Spirit for the good of the entire Mystical Body, whose upbuilding they must serve. (cf. 1 Cor 12:4-11)10
Communion – brotherhood – should be the rst area of cooperation between Religious and diocesan priests. A com- munion based on mutual respect, and a mutual mission: the up building of the Kingdom of God.
Religious priests who work in parishes live in a situation where they are a Father to their community – ie: the parish – just as the secular clergy are, yet they are also brothers to each other in their respec- tive religious communities. It is true that there are usually three or more religious men living in community, depending on their Congregation’s Rule, and so it can be “easier” in a sense for religious priests to both work in the parish and live religious life as well. This of course is not always the case! Living religious life – or rather men living religious life – can bring with it a whole set of problems, community dynam- ics, etc., that can make life dif cult! I men- tion this because at times there can be a sentiment amongst secular clergy that we religious have it easy because of numbers. But it is often the same clergy who would quickly add that religious life is de nitely not for them!
How religious clergy can serve their brothers in the diocesan presbyterate
Religious clergy should not just sup- ply Mass, they are called by the Church to provide the richness of their spiritual charism, translated throughout confes- sion and spiritual direction and provid- ing assistance to the secular clergy. There should be something different about us religious priests to provide a place where the diocesan clergy feel free to come to us
10 Vita Consecrata, no. 47.
for confession, for spiritual direction, for a kind word, for friendship! We are, yes the same in the priesthood, but as religious our formation in the Congregation’s char- ism, history, spirituality is a gift that we give back! Hopefully religious priests are able to translate this, notwithstanding the many demands on them in their parishes.
Vita Consecrata makes this point:
Because of their supra-diocesan charac- ter, grounded in their special relation to the Petrine ministry, they are also at the service of cooperation between the particular Churches, since they can ef- fectively promote an ‘exchange of gifts’ among them.11
The charisms of the consecrated life can greatly contribute to the building up of charity in the particular Churches. 12
How secular clergy can serve their religious priest brothers
This exchange of gifts can be seen in real terms between religious and diocesan clergy. I mentioned already what religious priests can bring with them. But this ex- change shows that diocesan clergy can also contribute so much to us religious.
On a personal level, I arrived at St Jo- seph’s, Springvale, nearly six years ago. I was an assistant priest for four years in my former parish in northwest Sydney. My PP there was a good man, a good priest and a good religious. But let's just say he had a unique style in communicating the ‘man- agement’ of a parish. Thanks be to God, when I arrived at Springvale, rstly I had a very supportive community of friars, and a guardian (local superior) who had the friary’s horarium ticking like clockwork. At the same time, I had support from local clergy with a great knowledge of parish life, such as Fr Walshe, Fr Pritchard and Fr Cartwright. These men and others, including Fr Shadbolt here, were able to show me, literally, how to be a PP; how to administer the school (something not done in NSW); how to deal with certain characters. These diocesan clergy ex- changed their gifts of experience, knowl- edge and wisdom with me. This is the Church’s Magisterium seen in action.
..11 Vita Consecrata, no. 47. 12 Vita Consecrata, no. 48.
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