June 12, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
Priests are for the Church
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Congratulations Father Ryan!
Father Ryan Hilderbrand is a mere man. He is the son of his parents. He has been nurtured by them and beyond them in the faith by his Catholic education both in and out of school. He is the son of a faith-filled family and of a faith-filled parish community of Washington, Indiana. Now he is a Catholic Priest.
The ordination rite made it clear to Father Ryan that he was not ordained for himself or his family alone. He was ordained as a priest for the Church! He, as any wedded couple, has left both his birth home and parish home.
The Rite of Ordination elevated this mere man, Ryan, to be “more” for others. Those others are all the members of the faithful and those who are not. It demands of Father Ryan, and all priests, selflessness that they may have never ever known prior to ordination. His commitment to selflessness is countercultural. “Who would be so stupid as to commit one’s life totally for others?”
There is nothing that brings this home to a candidate for the diaconate, a priest or bishop, as that humbling moment lying face down on the floor of the church as the Church prays the Litany of the Saints.
Father Ryan just experienced that moment last Saturday at the Cathedral. He is now a priest for the Church and specifically located in the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. Before his Ordination to the Diaconate and Priesthood he made a commitment of obedience to the bishop and his successors. He is a Priest for the Church.
One element of Father Ryan’s commitment of obedience is sometimes lost: the promise “to me and my successors.” This becomes more evident an act of faith and trust because my tenure as Diocesan Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville is drawing to a close. Father Ryan knows me. None of us knows who my successor might be.
In accordance with Church Law at the mandatory age of 75 I must submit my letter of resignation as bishop of the diocese. Of course, as Father Ryan has promised obedience to me and my successors, I have promised obedience to the Holy Father and his successors. The Holy Father will decide when I will retire.
Father Ryan has made that same unconditional commitment. What an unselfish commitment that is!
Father Ryan is a priest for the Church! Congratulations!