Bishop Olmsted takes firm hold of diocese

Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, who just marked his first year as head of the 500,000-member Diocese of Phoenix, has become known for his conservative, orthodox ways and his willingness to confront aspects of American culture he views as anti-religious.

Olmsted is sending Valley Catholics strong messages about homosexuality and abortion and implementing stricter church rules governing the Mass, aimed at restoring reverence to the service.

Olmsted's appointment ... continued a trend in bishop appointments of relatively conservative, highly orthodox priests, many with experience working in the Vatican.

And for this, we should be ever grateful to the Holy Father, but especially to our Lord.

The Rev. Charles Goraieb, pastor of St. Henry, the Catholic church in Buckeye, said the bishop's "decisiveness" is "clear, not arbitrary, because it is based on church law and teaching."

The bishop, he said, exhibits "extraordinary pastoral charity."

"It is a wonder to watch him with people who disagree with him," Goraieb said. "He is kind, patient, so gentle and forbearing, but he doesn't give an inch."

"He holds his priests accountable. He also is uncompromising in his fidelity to the church," said the Rev. John Ehrich, associate pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle in Phoenix. "He is very present to his priests and communicates with us very well."

Phoenix is on a course of a genuine renewal of the faith due primarily, it seems, to having a true shepherd leading the faithful. Of course, fidelity causes problems for others:

Marta Pecuch, a Catholic who declines to give her parish affiliation, said, "There are many people who are unhappy with this bishop. I hope all their views are represented."

Another, Robert Blair Kaiser of Phoenix, an author and journalist who has focused his career on the Catholic Church, said the bishop, along with others throughout the United States, is trying to "widen the regrettable chasm between the clergy and the rest of us."

"(This effort is) driving more and more good Catholics from regular attendance at Mass," Kaiser said.

Tom Van Dyke, 53, who attends Our Lady of the Valley in Phoenix, said that although he applauds several of Olmsted's changes, the bishop seems to be "a theological policeman" who believes the role of the laity is to "pray, pay and obey."

Frankly, we would be much better off if more Catholics did pray and obey.

Also, how is it possible that a bishop who would promote fidelity to the teachings of the Church and demands the same from his priests "widens the regrettable chasm between the clergy and the rest of us?" The statement makes absolutely no sense because it is patently false - UNLESS - the "US" refers to those who claim to be Catholic while. at the same time, reject Church teaching.

The other statement about "more good Catholics" being driven from regular Mass attendance because of the bishop's efforts must also be viewed as a distortion of the truth. Good and faithful Catholics would not be driven from regular Sunday Mass by a faithful and determined bishop - A bishop (or priest for that matter) who exercises his duties with humility, charity, and fidelity, who speaks the truth in season and out of season, can only help draw more people to Christ. Only those "Catholics" who are opposed to the truth are driven away by faithful bishops and priests.

Bishop Olmsted says:

"My job requires different duties. I try to explain the teachings, apply them and at times defend them, and there will be times I have to speak strongly," he said. "But I also try to express my thoughts persuasively and with a reasoned explanation arising out of a rich intellectual heritage."

He said he is focused on church teaching, not his own, and that his role is more that of a servant than an authority.

"The work of the [C]hurch is Christ's work, and [H]e works through me," he explained.

Our good bishops and priests need our loving support and our prayers. Remember to pray for them daily as they fulfill they work for which they were called.

Article here.