Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kaohsiung (Agenzia Fides) - “I pray for you, your dioceses and the whole Church in China...May the Lord also grant you that your evangelization and pastoral work progress smoothly and successfully. May all the Catholics of your diocese be united in heart and soul, and cooperate with one another in mutual love. May each particular Church be in communion with the Universal Church in order to fulfill Our Lord’s will that there be one flock and one shepherd.” This is what Cardinal Paul Shan, Archbishop Emeritus of Kaohsiung, writes in a letter addressed to “all brother bishops.” Although the letter is dated May 1, 2010, it was just recently made public. Reflecting on his long experience, Cardinal Shan wishes to share some of his considerations with his brother bishops, especially in regards to the relationship that should exist between a bishop and his priests, who are the close collaborators of the Bishop in evangelization and pastoral work.
The first relationship trait he addresses is that of “father-son,” not something “paternalistic, like that of an ancient patriarchal society” but within human limitations imitating the relationship between God the Father and His Son. “The Father and His only Son Jesus, with one heart and mind, live, communicate and work together.” Comparing the diocese to a family, Cardinal Shan then explains how “the bishop is the head of the family and the priests are his sons.” The main task of the head of the family “is to satisfy his children’s physical, intellectual and spiritual needs, so that they can have the sense of security at home. At the same time he must put all his effort into raising the children until they become adults.” He also has the responsibility for nurturing the family, caring for the priests’ livelihood and material needs. This is especially true for elderly and sick priests. The bishop must also be concerned about the priests’ psychological and intellectual growth, so he can dedicate himself to his ministry and bear fruit.
Cardinal Shan invites the bishops to form a “sacerdotal college (presbyterium)” in the diocese, characterized by a “warm, friendly and lovable atmosphere.” The monthly retreats, spiritual exercises, exchange of experiences of pastoral care, etc. are other important moments, as are a constant study of Scripture, theology, spirituality ... However, even the sons must have their responsibilities within the diocese, the first, “to understand their father’s mind and to wholeheartedly carry out the father’s will.”
The letter from Cardinal Shan then considers the “master-pupil relationship” that in the relations between a bishop and priest can be likened to those between Jesus and His disciples: “Jesus used all kinds of opportunities and ways to form his disciples, and to strengthen them in the three virtues of faith, hope and charity. He especially set an example for them...The bishop should be the first to set an example.”
The final part of the letter addresses cooperation: “In pastoral work and evangelization, priests are the bishop’s most intimate partners and friends. Therefore, in the process of planning and making policy for pastoral and evangelization work, the bishop should allow the priests to participate in research and discussion. Then only after a consensus is reached, should the plans be implemented. Such a process may seem like a waste of time, but in reality, it saves time. If the executors take part in the planning and decision-making, then tasks will be implemented more thoroughly and efficiently.”
Cardinal Shan concludes his letter saying that he knows “the difficult situations you are in,” which is why he prays every day for them and for their diocese, and he also wishes to share his small contribution from 30 years' experience as a bishop as he realizes the great importance of the relationship between a bishop and his priests. And if the bishop maintains good relations, “God will bless his pastoral and evangelical work with abundant fruit.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2010)
