A bishop, through his episcopal consecration, undertakes the office of sanctifying, teaching and governing in his diocese. His ministry touches everyone.

Baptized Catholics receive a bishop’s direct concern and ministry. But canon law reminds a bishop also to be concerned “with all the Christian faithful who are committed to his care regardless of age, condition or nationality, both those who live within his territory and those who are staying in it temporarily…”

Spiritual Leader

As the spiritual leader of the diocese, charged with the duty of sanctifying, a bishop’s flock includes not only Catholics of the Latin Rite, but those Catholics of a different rite living in the diocese, as is the case in the archdiocese of Atlanta. Canon law instructs him “to provide for their spiritual needs either by means of priests or parishes of the rite or by means of an episcopal vicar.”

The same canon charges the bishop “to act with kindness and charity” toward those who are not Catholics and to foster ecumenism.

Regarding the unchurched. “He is to consider non-baptized persons as being committed to him in the Lord so that there may shine upon them the charity of Christ for whom the bishop must be witness before all.”

Teacher

Among his principal duties as chief teacher in the diocese, “the preaching of the gospel occupies an eminent place,” the Vatican II document, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church says. Another Council document, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, elaborates on a bishop’s teaching mission:

“Bishops…should so preach the message of Christ that all earthly activities of the faithful will be bathed in the light of the gospel…”

The bishop “should present Christian doctrine in a manner adapted to the needs of the times, that is to say, in a manner corresponding to the difficulties and problems by which people are most vexatiously burdened and troubled. They should also guard that doctrine, teaching the faithful to defend and spread it.” So directs the Decree on the Bishop’s Pastoral Office in the Church from Vatican II.

A bishop should stand the midst of his people as one who serves. Let him be a good shepherd who knows his sheep and whose sheep know him.” (Decree on the Bishop’s Pastoral Office in the Church.)

In addition to preaching the gospel, the bishop is directly responsible for catechesis in his diocese. The Vatican II document on the bishop’s pastoral office continues: “Catechetical training is intended to make men’s faith become living, conscious, and active, through the light of instruction. Bishops should see to it that such training be painstakingly given to children, adolescents, young adults, and even grownups.

Ruler

An individual bishop, placed in charge of a particular diocese, exercises his pastoral government over that diocese with total authority. He is answerable directly to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. His relationship with other members of the Church’s hierarchy, whatever their rank, is collegial and is that of a peer. As one who is sent by the pope to a diocese, his authority emanates from the core Catholic faith in the Church founded by Jesus and entrusted to Peter and his successors.

However, a bishop’s mandate to govern, total as it is, is defined by the example of Jesus Christ, the servant, and by references to an episcopal role of service.

“With their helpers, the priests and deacons, bishops have…taken up the service of the community, presiding in the place of God over the flock whose shepherd they are…” according to the Constitution on the Church.

“In exercising his office of faith and pastor, a bishop should stand in the midst of his people as one who serves. Let him be a good shepherd who knows his sheep and whose sheep know him. Let him be a true father who excels in the spirit of love and solicitude for all and to whose divinely conferred authority all gratefully submit themselves.”

With these words, the Vatican II document on the bishop’s pastoral office sums up the bishop’s governing role as one of service.

His Motto Is “Feed My Lambs”

Archbishop Eugene A. Marino’s episcopal motto, “Feed My Lambs,” comes from Jesus’ words to Peter, recorded in Chapter 21 of John’s Gospel.

It was after the resurrection and Jesus was preparing His apostles for His final departure. Three times he asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” When Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” Jesus commissioned him, “Feed my lambs.”

The image of shepherding has continued in the Church. It carries with it the connotations of the unique relationship between a shepherd and his flock in which the shepherd’s total concern is guiding the flock to the best possible grazing and caring for its safety.

In an interview in March at the time of his appointment to Atlanta, the bishop said that to him the words “Feed my lambs” sum up the work that Jesus gave to His apostles and, if carried out by the apostle, are the true sign of the apostle’s love of Jesus.

The words “sort of sum up the mission of the apostle among God’s people,” he said, pointing him toward the “little ones, the most defenseless ones.” With gentleness on Jesus’ part, the words summon that kind of concern and pastoral solicitude from Peter and from those who would follow in Peter’s footsteps.