THE BISHOP IS A SERVANT LEADER

Two priests from different dioceses were comparing notes about their respective bishops. The first pastor complained that it is so difficult to arrange an appointment with and see his bishop. He is practically invisible. The elderly priest countered, "You should not complain. Your bishop is only invisible. Why, I can see my bishop any time, but he is incomprehensible."

What is a bishop? He is a servant leader! Another word for shepherd, a servant and protector of a flock. As a servant he must he visible; as a leader he should always he comprehensible.

When is the Bishop Visible.

But what is visibility for the Bishop? The immediate meaning is for the bishop to be visibly approachable Available when they flock, and very specially its priests, need an accompanying presence, a listening car and a father's heart which is able to understand and always compassionate to forgive. Visibility means the bishop is "a watchful sentinel" ever guarding the flock from deceitful and erroneous teaching and harmful practices. lie is the "courageous prophet" who does not only insist that righteousness and justice be the basis in social, economic and cultural affairs of hut - nails, the prophet that the bishop is condemns the injustice in economic and political transactions as also in the relationship within the family and the community.

The Bishop is also "a credible witness and a faithful servant of Christ." Here is a role that synthesizes, or puts together as one, the many and varied responsibilities of a shepherd as servant-leader. When the bishop serves Christ, he is also, by the fact of service, a living and credible witness of Jesus. There can never be any dichotomy in the ministry and life of the bishop. What the bishop teaches, he lives; and what he has lived already becomes a teaching for his flock.

Will the shepherd in the servant-leader be able-to do all these tasks solely with the chosen skills of a manager or administrator? Is the Bishop a CEO`? He may have the skills of an influential manager, but that does not make him a shepherd.

The Holiness of the Bishop.

The shepherd of a flock must have the anointing of the Spirit of Jesus. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; for he has anointed tree to bring the good news to the afflicted... to proclaim liberty to captives, to give sight to the blind, to set captives free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord." (Luke 4: 18-I 9). If every priest must live in the spirit of Jesus Christ owning a spirituality that "inspires" the love for God and compassion for everyone., more so the bishop lives a spirituality that harbours, "renews and maintains the monasticism of the heart that is at home with regular tame alone in the solitude of God's love." (George Aschenbrenner, Quickening the Fire in our midst).

The Bishop's holiness must go beyond the subjective level. It must reach out to and give witness for others. The Post Svnodal

Exhortation, PASTORES GREGIS reminds the Pastors of this ­ " The Bishop's personal holiness, however, is never limited to the purely subjective level since in its efficacy it always proves beneficial to the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care. In the practice of charity, as the content of the pastoral ministry he has received, the Bishop becomes a sign of Christ and acquires that moral authority needed for the effective exercise of his juridical authority. Unless the Episcopal office is based on the witness of a holiness manifested in pastoral charity, humility and simplicity, of life, it ends up being reduced to a solely functional role and, tragically, it losers credibility before the clergy and the faithful.” (PG, 11).

The Bishop cannot and must not hide, his holiness. Episcopal holiness has both apostolic and witnessing value.

The First Flock of the Bishop: The Priests.

A very special relationship exists between the Bishop and the priests, because the priests are the closest co-operators in the ministry of the Bishop, They are the priests who will make the bishop present in every nook and corner of the diocese, they will speak for him and will represent him in the parishes. Thus, "the Bishop will always strive; to relate to his priests as a father and brother who loves, listens to, welcomes, corrects, supports them and seeks their cooperation ... and is concerned for their human, spiritual, ministerial, material/financial well being."' (PG, 47). H ow true is the saying that when the young priest entrusts himself to the Bishop, the Bishop for his part obliges himself to look after the good, the health, the sanctity and security of the young priest. It has been said before and let it also be said now that happy and holy priests make a hopeful Church.

The Bishop, the Religious and the Laity

Next to the Priests the other important collaborators in spreading the Good News of the Father's Kingdom are those who live the consecrated life and also the laity. The laity and very specially the families are in a special position to exercise great influence in the lives of the young, the workers, teachers and students. The servant leader that is the Bishop stays close to them, invites them to listen to the Good News as they are applied to daily life. What the lay people are missioned to do that they would love to do, when the Bishop explains the diocesan apostolic vision and program.

Intelligibility of the Leader.

The Bishop must stand ahead of" his flock as one owning a vision, a direction and a destination for himself and for his flock. Failed leaderships have one basic reason for failing. They have no clear, compendious and attainable vision. The Kingdom of the Father through the fulfilment of His will was the constant and unchanging apostolic vision of Jesus Christ. There can be no change in the direction Jesus has given tree apostles for the Church. When the apostolic pastoral vision is clear, then we need not be afraid because the shepherd will bring us to grassy meadows, will lead us to tranquil waters and his staff and his crook will comfort us.

Bishop Bernard, you need not he afraid, although fear is the salutary initial response to any invitation or mission in the bible. But do not be afraid to start shepherding for the Lord's flock. You have been found to love Jesus. You are tow asked to tend His flock. Like priests who only share and co-operate in the shepherding oh Bishops, so also the Bishops are only collaborating in the pasturing of Jesus. Truly Jesus is the good shepherd, Bishops are his collaborators. We shall not want for anything.

God Bless!

+ Gaudencio B. Rosales
Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Bernard Cortez
San Pablo Cathedral,San Pablo City
August 20, 2004