Welcoming Our New Bishop

32 Pages·2008·0.15 MB·English

Welcoming Our New Bishop – Educational Packet
Table of Contents

Topics

The Three Degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders:
Episcopate, Presbyterate, Diaconate

The Nature and Role of the Bishop

Brief History of the Diocese of Wilmington

Biography of Bishop Malooly

Frequently Asked Questions (possible bulletin insert)

RCIA and Adult Small Group Discussion

Adult Education Session

Family Education Session

High School/Youth Session

Early Adolescent Session (Gr. 7-9)

Intermediate Session (Gr. 3-6)

Primary Session (Gr. 1-3)

Preschool Session (Age 3-5)

Glossary of Terms

Curriculum Outcomes for Each Grade Level
THE THREE DEGREES OF THE SACRAMENT OF
HOLY ORDERS

Through the sacrament of Baptism, all are made sharers of the priesthood of Christ,
which is nurtured and sustained within the community of faith. The community of all
baptized persons acknowledges the divinity of Christ and lives in a way that conforms to
the teachings of God for the good of all people.

In 1947, Pope Pius XII stated the matter of Holy Orders was to be understood as the
bishop’s imposition of hands over the priest – thus signifying clearly that ordination was
the consecration of the whole person for a life of holiness and service to the Church, and
not simply the assigning of and empowering for specific sacramental duties.
“The divinely instituted ecclesiastical ministry is exercised in different degrees by those
who even from ancient times have been called bishops, priests, and deacons.”

Lumen Gentium states the three degrees are: episcopate, presbyterate and deaconate.
These degrees are exercised by bishops, priests and deacons. (#32 ) St. Ignatius of Antioch
said,
Let everyone revere the deacons as Jesus Christ, the bishop as the image of the
Father, and the presbyters as the senate of God, and the assembly of the apostles.
For without them one cannot speak of the Church.

Episcopate: Fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders
The bishops receive the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates them
into the Episcopal college and makes them the visible heads of the particular churches
entrusted to them. As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops
share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole Church under the authority
of the Pope, successor of St. Peter. (CCC1594) By virtue of Episcopal consecration, the
bishops share in the sanctifying, teaching and ruling offices of the Church. In an eminent
and visible manner, the bishops take the place of Christ himself, teacher and shepherd,
and act as Christ’s representative. (CCC1558)

Presbyterate: Ordained Co-Workers of the Episcopate
The priest represents Christ to the community by his presence and his actions. He also
presents the community to Christ expressing their wants, sufferings, needs and desires.
The ministerial priest, by the sacred power that he has, forms and rules the
priestly people; in the person of Christ he effects the Eucharistic sacrifice and
offers it to God in the name of all the people (Lumen Gentium #10)

Diaconate: Service Conferred by a Sacramental Act of Ordination
Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The Sacrament of Holy
Orders marks them with an imprint (character) which cannot be removed and which
configures them to Christ, who makes himself the “deacon” or servant of all. Among
other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of
the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in
assisting at the blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in
presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity.
(CCC1570)

The Nature and Role of the Bishop

There is a rather ancient theological adage: Lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of prayer is
the law of belief.) This understanding is an appropriate starting point for considering the
nature and role of the bishop in the Church. The actual rite for the ordination of a bishop
contained in the Roman Pontifical is instructive in this regard. The nature of the
Episcopal office is rather wonderfully expressed in the sample homily-instruction for the
ordination of a bishop. There it notes that the principal consecrator addresses the bishop-
elect in these words:
You, dear brother, have been chosen by the Lord. Remember that you are chosen
from among men and appointed to act for men and women in relation to God.
The title of bishop is not one of honor but of function, and therefore a bishop
should strive to serve rather than rule. Such is the counsel of the Master: the
greater should behave as if he were the least, and the leader as if her were the
one who serves.

Among other things, the Trinitarian nature of the Episcopal ministry is the personification
of the Father in the church and a sign of Christ as shepherd, teacher, priest and as a
vehicle of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church and supports it even in its
weakness.

By definition, a bishop is one who enjoys “the fullness of the sacrament of order” (Decree on
the Bishops’ Pastoral Office in the Church, 15) and the office of bishop is the primary pastoral office of
the local Church, the diocese. The role of the bishop is a series of dynamic
interrelationships. On the one hand, the bishop has the pastoral care of the particular
church entrusted to him, while, at the same time, he is responsible with the other bishops
for the apostolic mission of the Church (CCC1560). The bishop is both the sign of unity
within a diocese as well as a minister of unity between the local church and the universal
church under the authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter. The Eucharist, celebrated
by the bishop, witnesses, in a most significant way, to the Church gathered around the
altar, with the one who represent Christ, the Good Shepherd and Head of his Church
(CCC1561).

As authentic teachers of the apostolic faith, the bishops echo the faith. As chief catechist
in the diocese, the bishop is responsible for the total catechetical mission of the local
church. All members of the community share the duty to bear witness to the faith.
However, the bishop is assisted in his catechetical responsibilities by his diocesan staff,
priests, deacons, religious and laity. Collaboration among the different roles allows for
catechesis to be accomplished in an effective manner (NDC p. 218).

The new bishop is solemnly received in the diocesan church by the people and the clergy
of the local church within a Eucharistic celebration at which the new bishop presides for
the first time with the priests and the deacons, as well as with the people of the diocese.
The structure of the liturgy follows:
Introductory Rites
Reading of Apostolic Letter
Greeting of the Bishop
Celebration of Mass

The bishop of the diocese is the heart of the mission of Jesus Christ. His is a dynamic
and mutual relationship with all people. The leadership he offers is one of love, courage
and eagerness for the spread of the Gospel.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON

It might be considered that the Diocese of Wilmington had its origin in the landing party
from the Ark and Dove, which came ashore at St. Clements, now known as Blakiston
Island on March 25, 1634. Of the 20 Catholic gentlemen and several hundred indentured
servants, there were two Jesuit priests, John Altham and Andrew White, as well as a lay
brother, Thomas Gervase. After landing, the group gathered to celebrate a Thanksgiving
liturgy. They quickly established a mission at the tip of Kent Island to service the group
of people who had come from across the waters. Within a year the founding priest died
and this early mission was then serviced by the Jesuit priests from the western shore of
Maryland.

Between the years of 1634 and 1866, the area that would become known as the Diocese
of Wilmington was serviced by Jesuits from Maryland and Pennsylvania. A strong
nucleus of a Catholic presence developed at the head of the Little Bohemian River and
this became the first permanent parish (St. Francis Xavier, Old Bohemia) in what would
be the future Diocese of Wilmington. From this site priests traveled to care for the
various Catholics in settlements in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. In 1772 the
Jesuit community purchased a 200 acre farm in Mill Creek 100, near the stream of Coffee
Run. This track of land is presently located on Lancaster Pike. Sometime between the
years of 1785 and 1790, St. Mary of the Assumption at Coffee Run was erected. This log
cabin chapel became the nucleus of the Catholic celebration in the area.

As the years went on, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 were fought and the
country settled into the onslaught of the Civil War. All during this time people were
coming from Western Europe to seek freedom and a better way of living. Finally, at the
second Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1866, the American Bishops asked the Holy See
to make a diocese of the Delmarva Peninsula. The Holy See responded on March 3,
1868, by creating a diocese comprised of the state of Delaware (from the Diocese of
Philadelphia), and nine counties of Maryland and 2 in Virginia, east of the Chesapeake
Bay. At its creation, the Diocese was approximately 6,211 square miles but only had a
total Catholic population of 5,000, with 3,000 in the area of the cities of Wilmington and
New Castle. The other 2,000 Catholics were scattered in small congregations mostly
along the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where many of their forebears had continued to
practice the faith after landing in the colony of Maryland. There were few Catholics to
be found elsewhere on the Peninsula.

The first Bishop of Wilmington was Thomas Andrew Becker from Richmond, VA,
consecrated on August 16, 1868. A factor that aided Bishop Becker in his effort to
minister to the Catholics of the Diocese of Wilmington was the arrival of the railroad.
Bishop Becker seemed to follow the railroad’s progress and erected churches where he
felt they would be most beneficial in the light of future prosperity, which was expected
with the advent of the railroad. Before the railroad, there were many months during the
year that priests could not reach their various congregations. With the coming of the
railroad, this was no longer a problem. Priests could go to any area or corner of the
diocese to care for the Catholic community.

During his 18 year stay, Bishop Becker increased the number of priests almost three
times and doubled the number of churches, building especially in the rural areas. He
founded an orphanage and an academy for boys and for girls, plus two more parochial
schools. He obtained the services of the Visitandines, the Glen Riddle Franciscans, the
Dominicans and the Benedictines. Before leaving the Diocese of Wilmington, Bishop
Becker became known on the national level. During his years as Bishop of Wilmington,
he used his personal influence as well as his pen to press for the idea of the erection of a
central Catholic University for the United States. Bishop Becker’s episcopacy coincided
with the Industrial Revolution. All during these years, he used his influence, his pen and
the pulpit to speak on behalf of the morality of the early labor union practices. On March
26, 1886, Bishop Becker was transferred to Savannah, Georgia.

A native of the Delmarva Peninsula, Alfred A. Curtis, then of Baltimore, was
appointed second Bishop and consecrated on November 14, 1886. Like Bishop Becker,
he was a convert. Bishop Curtis was self-educated. In his early years as a priest, he
ministered in pastorates in the rural congregations of Frederick and Chestertown, MD.
He was extremely happy in the rural areas. Later, as Bishop of Wilmington, he would
often say, “If I have a special affection for any part of my diocese, it is for the pines,
creeks, the marshes and even the mosquitoes of the Eastern Shore.” When he became
Bishop, he found that many of the parishes were carrying heavy bonds, mortgages, and
other forms of indebtedness. The Bishop was determined to make personal application
for financial help to neighboring dioceses and attempted to liquidate all church
indebtedness, especially in the country parishes. Besides worrying about the financial
matters of the diocese, he sought the services of the Josephites to care for the African-
American community at St. Joseph’s. He convened the second diocesan synod and held
regular clergy conferences. When he resigned for health reasons in 1896, the diocese was
well established. It had 30 priests, caring for 22 churches and 18 missions. It had 12
seminarians, 8 religious communities, 3 academies, 9 parochial schools, 3 orphanages
and 1 Cloister community and the Catholic population was 25,000. Rome accepted his
resignation but held him on for more than a year as apostolic administrator until Bishop
John J. Monaghan from South Carolina could succeed him.
The third Bishop of Wilmington was John J. Monaghan from Charleston, SC. He
was consecrated in May, 1897. During his episcopacy, he established 7 new parishes, 7
missions, and held the third diocesan synod. He was a champion for the Catholic school
system and encouraged its expansion. During his first year in office, the Felician sisters
established St. Hedwig to service the children of Polish immigrants. Over the next 15
years, Bishop Monaghan established 6 more parochial schools. Furthermore, he was able
to obtain the services of the Oblates of St. Francis deSales, who in 1903, undertook the
establishment of a much needed high school for boys, Salesianum. Ursuline Academy
was established for the service of the girls. For the first time, the diocese moved north of
the city of Wilmington, and in 1921 established Holy Rosary parish. In 1924, St. Francis
Hospital opened. The last official act of his administration was laying the cornerstone at
St. Anthony of Padua in 1925. He resigned because of ill health on July 10, 1925.

He was succeeded by Edmond J. FitzMaurice of Philadelphia. This fourth Bishop of
Wilmington was consecrated on November 30, 1925. Bishop FitzMaurice’s motto was
“Deeds, not words.” What were the deeds of this bishop? In his 35 years, this venerable
and kindly bishop was an inspiration to all of the people of the state of Delaware. He was
noted for his wisdom, patience and leadership, imbued with a strong faith and spirit.
During his episcopacy, the Catholic population of Delaware tripled in size, with the
parishes growing from 32 to 49. The diocesan priests grew to 102 in number. When
Bishop FitzMaurice first came to Wilmington there were only 13 parochial schools with
5,526 pupils. When he resigned, there were 32, with an enrollment of more than 15,000.
The high schools had grown from 3 to 9, with other 3,000 students enrolled. Bishop
FitzMaurice was a very simple man. The News Journal notes he never owned or drove
an automobile and enjoyed golf and swimming. It stated that one of his unfailing habits
was walking. It was said he walked from Philadelphia to Wilmington in his early days
and it was nothing to see him take a casual stroll from Wilmington to New Castle and
return in the same day. Bishop FitzMaurice urged a more active participation by his
clergy in community affairs and group work. In fact, he was the one who pushed the idea
of a priests, ministers, rabbis, religious leaders seminar for the National Conference of
Christians and Jews. He not only endorsed this approach but attended most of the
meetings himself. He was the first Delaware recipient of the national award from the
National Conference of Christians and Jews for leadership in interfaith and intergroup
activity. Bishop FitzMaurice struggled against segregation. He was quoted as saying,
“The dignity and worth of my fellow citizens comes not from their color, race, religion or
national origin, but from their nature as rational creatures of God.” In his life and
episcopacy this was one of the driving forces: to see all people as rational creatures of
God. After 35 years of fruitful leadership, Bishop FitzMaurice retired on March 2, 1960.

William H. Hyle of Baltimore, Bishop FitzMaurice’s Coadjutor, advanced as the 5th
Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington. He was consecrated on September 24, 1958. In
the early years of Bishop Hyle’s episcopacy, much of his time was taken up with his
attendance at the Second Vatican Council. Not only did he attend every session of the
council but after his return, he made every effort to implement its decrees. Bishop Hyle
instinctively and unswervingly dedicated himself to carrying out the minutest detail in the
various documents of the Vatican Council, even to the extent of being among the first
prelates in our country to do so. He was a forerunner with his efforts to pass on to the
laity its responsibility for the conduct of various areas of the diocesan administration
work. He established a diocesan newspaper that was to become known on a national
level. Bishop Hyle also played an active role in community activities, particularly in the
field of social issues. During his tenure, the various Catholic social agencies were
strengthened and their operations expanded. An intercity program was developed for the
diocese to coordinate such activity and the bishop, either personally or through a
representative, served on several committees and organizations. Bishop Hyle was an
exponent of civil rights. Early in his term he took a public stand in favor of the State
Public Accommodation Law and later was an active supporter of legislation against
discrimination in real estate transactions. During the Selma, Alabama campaign for voter
registrations, Bishop Hyle personally financed trips to that southern city for several
Wilmington priests and nuns to participate in the demonstrations. He was active in
campaigning to promote understanding between religions. Surveying the needs of the
diocese, he launched a campaign to raise funds to bring the diocese up to contemporary
standards in every way. A diocesan high school, St. Mark’s, a much needed Neumann
Center at the University of Delaware, and the upgrading many Catholic schools were the
results from this campaign. He died on the day after Christmas, 1967, after a short
illness. He was the first bishop to die as the Bishop of Wilmington.

On March 13, 1968, Thomas J. Mardaga, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, was
appointed by the Holy Father as the sixth Bishop of Wilmington. Bishop Mardaga
came to the Diocese of Wilmington with many years of administrative experience,
especially in the areas of Catholic Youth Organization and Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine. The work of this bishop was clearly marked out for him by the decrees of the
Second Vatican Council. It was evident from the beginning that Bishop Mardaga had
intended to pick up where Bishop Hyle left off in his effort to implement the decrees of
the Council. The new bishop immediately announced a program of personal pastoral
visitation to the 53 parishes of this diocese. During his time as bishop, he founded two
new parishes; dedicated a new multi-million dollar diocesan facility at St. Mark’s;
established a Council of Laity as a liaison between the bishop and the parishes; conducted
a diocesan-wide census; dedicated a new Neumann Apostolate Headquarters at the
University of Delaware; established a public relations office; appointed a director of radio
and television; created a diocesan Department of Finance; and established the Migrant
Workers Ministry. In the later years of his episcopacy, several primary and secondary
schools closed due to crises in finances and a decrease in vocations. The bishop urged
the employment of professionally trained Directors of Religious Education in each parish
to meet the needs of the young people in the transmission of their faith.

On June 17, 1974, Pope Paul VI announced that the Virginia territory of the Diocese of
Wilmington was to be transferred to the Diocese of Richmond. Thus, the Diocese of
Wilmington lost its unique characteristic of covering one entire state and parts of two
others. In 1981, the bishop was hospitalized for cancer. In the fall of that year, the
cancer spread considerably to his spine. Many felt his greatest achievement was the
lesson he gave to the people of the diocese in dealing with suffering and approaching
death. Bishop Mardaga’s faith was very quiet but evident. His strength and courage in
facing up to difficult times are remembered by all. He viewed his life as something of a
sacred trust to be preserved, guarded, shared and lived well. In his closing remarks to the
student body at St. Mark’s in 1983, he said,

When one comes towards the end of one’s pilgrimage as I have, there is no greater
satisfaction in life, I assure you, than to look back at those years and see how many
children I baptized, how many thousands I have given the Bread of Life to, how many
boys and girls I have confirmed, the unnumbered couples I have married, the poor sick
and troubled whom I have been able to help; and the many I have helped to die well…I
look back at it all and I close simply by saying, here is one who can tell you that if God
calls you and you follow him faithfully you will never regret it because truly I haven’t.

Bishop Mardaga died on May 28, 1984.

The seventh Bishop of Wilmington, Robert E. Mulvee, from Manchester, NH was
appointed in the spring of 1985. He brought with him a specific dimension to the role of
bishop. Bishop Mulvee’s motto was, “As one who serves.” Throughout his 10 years as
Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, he was known for his pastoral approach in all
matters. Understanding the diversity of the diocese, he was extremely sensitive to the
rural and the far reaching areas, especially the lower parts of the diocese. Every
Christmas he visited the Eastern Shore for Christmas Eve Mass, either traveling by car or
air, and then returned for Midnight Mass at the Cathedral in Wilmington. This sensitivity
to the northern and southern parts of the diocese was a hallmark of his episcopacy.

Bishop Mulvee never forgot he was first a pastor/priest. He was known for his visits to
the sick, especially those in the area hospitals – where he would be seen frequently going
in and out without any fanfare. He always seemed to find time for special requests made
to him that would brighten someone’s day. Small visits to those with illness or ones who
suffered loss were a common day’s occurrence.

He assisted in the development of a diocesan long range plan called, “Pastoral Directions
for the 90’s – A Church Called to Serve”. In this plan, goals, objectives, time lines and
strategies were implemented for the various offices and activities of the diocese. He
instigated a call for diocesan parish RENEW and on completion of the renewal process,
continued to call for evangelization and implemented the foundation of a diocesan
Stewardship Plan.

On a national level, Bishop Mulvee was very active on various committees of the United
States Catholic Conference and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He
traveled extensively on behalf of the Catholic Relief Services and, in fact, met personally
with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This meeting had a profound influence on his own
personal ministry.

He was extremely supportive of the whole educational ministry of the diocese, both in
Catholic schools and parish religious education programs. He established a Catholic
Development Fund to ensure the future of city parish schools and an endowment fund for
the whole future of Catholic schools.

During his episcopacy, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults became a strong motivating
factor within parish life. He implemented the Diocesan Rite of Election and the Neophyte Mass
in both the northern and southern parts of the diocese.

In 1995, he was appointed the Coadjutor Bishop of Providence, RI. He became the seventh
Bishop of Providence on June 11, 1997. Since 1997, Bishop, Mulvee has served on many
national and regional boards and committees.

February 15, 2005, upon the occasion of his 75th birthday, Bishop Mulvee requested retirement
from the Office of Bishop of Providence. Pope John Paul II accepted his retirement March 31,
2005 and Bishop Mulvee became Bishop Emeritus of Providence on May 31, 2005. He
continues to be involved in ministry in the Diocese of Providence.

The eighth Bishop of Wilmington, Michael A. Saltarelli from the Archdiocese of Newark,
NJ, was installed as Bishop on January 23, 1996.

Bishop Saltarelli had seven priorities for the Diocese of Wilmington:

1. To conduct an aggressive campaign throughout the Diocese to promote vocations to the
priesthood and religious life

2. To develop and implement a comprehensive pastoral plan for ministry to Hispanic people

3. To assess diocesan offices and ministries to assure efficiency and effectiveness

4. To establish new parishes and schools

5. To explore models of parish ministry closely examining the role of the clergy and the laity in
these models

6. To evangelize the unchurched and alienated African American community

7. To develop and implement a comprehensive plan for ministry on college campuses

Bishop Saltarelli presided over an era of expansion and growth in the Diocese of
Wilmington. A three-year capital campaign “Bringing the Vision to Life” addressed the
needs of a growing diocesan family of nearly 200,000, to build, renovate and expand
churches, schools and other facilities throughout the Diocese. During his time of
leadership, the new parish of St. Margaret of Scotland in Glasgow was formed and two
mission churches became parishes, St. Jude and St. John Newman. Also two new schools
were built: Christ the Teacher in Glasgow and Most Blessed Sacrament in Ocean Pines,
MD.
Bishop Saltarelli made significant contributions on national Catholic discussions
concerning the sanctity of human life in the womb and all its stages, the need to reach out
to inactive Catholics, the need for a consistent use of the Catholic funeral rites and the
importance of solid Catholic marriage preparation. Bishop Saltarelli’s Pastoral Statement
“How to Reach Inactive Catholics” was the lead contribution in the January 27, 2000
edition of Origins.

Bishop Saltarelli has been an active member of the National Conference of Catholic
Bishops. He served on the Bishop’s Committee on the Laity, the Bishop’s Committee on
Religious Retirement and the Board of Trustees for Catholic Relief Services. From 1996-
1999, he served on the United States Catholic Conference Committee on Education and
the subcommittee on Catechesis. From 1997 to 2000, he served on the United States
Catholic Conference Committee on African American Catholics.

Bishop Saltarelli plans to stay in the Diocese of Wilmington at the service of the next
bishop. He particularly enjoys presiding at Confirmations. Bishop Saltarelli states:

I don’t like to look back. I look forward. As Scripture says, I have only done what I was
supposed to do, and maybe even that has not been enough. The purpose is not to create
memorials to oneself but always to give honor and glory to God. Whatever has been
accomplished has only been because of his good grace.

Factoids

The Diocese of Wilmington is one of two dioceses in the US that crosses state boundaries.

The Diocese of Wilmington has 57 parishes and 18 missions.

The Diocese of Wilmington has 123 diocesan priests, 93 religious priests, 34 brothers,
258 sisters, and 94 permanent deacons.

The Patron Saint of the Diocese of Wilmington is St. Francis de Sales.

A bishop must send the Holy Father a letter of resignation when he reaches 75.

John Carroll of Maryland was the first native born American bishop. He attended school at
Bohemia Manor which is on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

The first diocese established in the United States was Baltimore.

Wilmington is a member of the Baltimore province of the Catholic Church in the US.