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Though the Catholic population
thrived under the steadfast leadership of Most Reverend Gregory
Yong for almost 2 decades, it needs be that his position be relinquished
to someone else equally capable of administering God's Love to this
people, given the former's intention to retire. Whoever that person
may be (in this case, the parish priest of Church of the Holy Cross),
how much do we lay Catholics know about the responsibilities and
consequences that accompany such servitude? We figured apathy didn't
exactly play a part in the lives of active Catholics so The Presence
sought the assistance of Fr. John-Paul Tan in elucidating this issue.
Who Appoints the Arch
Bishop
While the Pope makes the final decision as to who is appointed Bishop,
the aid of Vatican curial offices in the selection and appointment
of Bishops is indispensable. Pertaining to our local context, "the
curial office that is competent to assist in this area is the Congregation
for the Evangelization of Peoples."
A great deal of research
is a must before the nominees present themselves to the Pope and
it is the "Papal Nuncio" that "plays a crucial role
in solicit[ing] views and opinions from the clergy, religious and
lay persons in Singapore." Collated responses are then "forwarded
to the Congregation, with a list of three potential candidates who
have been short listed." The Prefect of the Congregation will
then make a request for a "personal audience with the Pope"
before whom the nominees will be proposed and the Arch Bishop chosen.
Mandatory Criteria
In accordance with Canon Law, "the eligible person must have
been a priest for a minimum of 5 years and be at least 35 years
old. He must also possess 'outstandingly strong faith, good morals,
piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and other human virtues
which would make him well-equipped to fulfil the office.' (c. 378)"
A letter of resignation
must also be submitted on their 75th birthday and "retirement
occurs immediately once the Pope accepts the resignation."
Roles and Responsibilities
of an Arch Bishop
His primary and most important role would be to lead the church
of Singapore in all areas of pastoral and administrative life.
Implications for Lay
Catholics
Just as every individual makes for an exclusive entity, a new Arch
Bishop is likely to bring with him "his personality and gifts"
that will be a "blessing for the Church of Singapore."
And as with all organisations that undergo a change of leadership,
"a period of transition in which the new Arch Bishop establishes
his vision of Catholic life for Singapore" is inevitable and
even exciting if you think about the newness of "life, perspectives
and vitality" with which the local Church will be suffused.
Positive aspects aside,
the human tendency to err should prepare folks for the unavoidable,
typical of large establishments. If Fr. John-Paul Tan's advice is
anything to go by, "a healthy tension will do wonders to an
organisation as big as the church in Singapore." And I guess
we've been in enough such situations to know that a 'lil' pressure
and anxiety paves the way for a more solid future.
Response of the Diocese
Unaccustomed to playing an active role in the archdiocese, a substantial
number of Catholics are apt to give this Episcopal ordination a
miss and overlook the all-important process. What we should do is
to "give [our] fullest support to the new Archbishop"
and encourage laidback Catholics to "rally around him"
and offer our "fullest cooperation in building the Kingdom
of God." This can be achieved by rendering our time and effort
in the many organisations and structures already in place.
At a personal level,
we should "continue to pray for God's guidance and blessing
for the local church and become involved in the vision that would
be articulated by the new Archbishop."
A Day in the Life
of the Arch Bishop
Keep clicking to key in on our exclusive interview with the Arch
Bishop Elect. - Fr. Nicholas Chia
Coming your way at warp speed!
Many thanks
to Fr. John-Paul Tan for making this article possible. The time
and effort expended is greatly appreciated!
What
do you think of the article? Got something else to share? come to
the forums!
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