July 8, 2011
Bishop’s ordination: A new chapter in the life of the diocese
Archbishop Daniel Buechlein holds up a card from the priesthood ordination of then Father Charles C. Thompson, commenting with a smile about the boyish look of the bishop-elect, that he must have used his First Communion photo for the card. (Message photo by Peewee Vasquez) Click for a larger version.
By DEACON JOHN McMULLEN (Message correspondent)
Festive. Joyful. Beautiful. Prayerful. Amazing. Sublime. Hopeful. Church! These are but a sampling of many adjectives bantered about at the celebration of the Ordination Mass for Bishop Charles C. Thompson.
The day marked a new chapter in the life of the diocese. There was such an outpouring of support by the presence of so many faithful from all over the diocese and beyond gathered in Robert’s Stadium in the middle of a warm summer day in the middle of the week. So many more watched on TV or recorded it. Facebook posts, tweets, e-mails, texts and photos swapped confirm that this was indeed a great day for the Church.
What an overwhelming palpable presence of Church — both here on earth and the saints in heaven — for we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,” (Heb. 12:1). Members of the Church: all the baptized — young and old — laity, religious, deacons, priests, bishops and archbishops, and even knights and ladies.
The Liturgy was composed of ancient chants and modern song, ritual from the early Church, and Renaissance pag-eantry with the glory of trumpet and pipes — complete with the papal scroll declaring Fa-ther Charles Thompson Bishop of Evansville.
From the opening procession to the proclamation of the Word of God and the Gospel, the litany of the Saints with Bishop Charles prostrate, the apostolic laying on of hands and the anointing with oil, and the great Eucharistic Prayer, we participated in sacred mystery of the Paschal Mystery — the life, death and resurrection of Christ — a glorious celebration that led many to experience the Presence of God. The Liturgy was truly a sacrifice of praise. As all participated in the prayer, we formed the unity of the Body of Christ and God transformed us and energized us, sending us forth on mission — we the local church of southwestern Indiana, the Diocese of Evansville, re-commissioned to go forth and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to baptize and teach, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, comfort the poor, and witness to Christ’s presence.
As the new Bishop walked through the gathered assembly, he blessed us as his own.
One of the most moving moments of the Mass occurred during the Communion Rite when the entire church, choir, ministers, laity alike all shared in the common song of “Be-hold a New Creation.” Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. The mantra of the scriptural refrain served not only as Word to be pondered, but savored. It seemed the entire gathered church had entered the Word, breathing as one, engaged in lectio divina as we sang the words: “Behold new things have come.”
Bishop Thompson has hum-bly surrendered himself to Divine Providence. He said of the celebration: “This is not about me, but about the Church,” reminding all that it is the Holy Spirit that unites us in the Body of Christ. He urged us to be committed to prayer, both personal and communal prayer, especially to the celebration of the Eucharist. Finally, he challenged us to work for peace and justice through Christ and to defend the dignity of human life. “Blessed are those who are not scandalized by the man in this bishop.”
At his initial appearance in Evansville in April, when Father Charles Thompson’s appointment was first made public, I sensed his apprehension and surprise that he had been named bishop though he had already known for some time.
“But from the first moment he spoke at the news conference,” Father John Breidenbach, sac-ramental minister, St. Theresa, Evansville, relates, “I felt em-powered to preach vocations, learn Spanish, and enrich my spiritual life especially through a greater attentiveness to prayer and celebration of the sacraments.”
A bishop has a particular relationship with his clergy. All clergy — deacons and priests — at their ordination promise to be obedient to their bishop and his successors. From the tenor of his genuine humility in the days leading up to the ordination, the clergy have committed themselves to Bishop Charles.
Deacon James King of St. Ferdinand Church, noted: “The day is bittersweet for Bishop Gettelfinger, but joyful for the celebration of new life in the person of Bishop Thompson.”
Father Zachary Etienne, pastor of Good Shepherd Church, said, “Transition will always be a part of every priest’s life and ministry; whether personally when moving to a new parish, or beginning a transition with a newly appointed bishop.”
“I am impressed by his [Bishop Charles’] willingness to listen and learn about what is going on in the diocese,” said Father Ray Brenner, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Jasper. “He has a large task ahead, but he seems up to the challenge.”
“A bishop’s relationship with his priests and deacons is a graced relationship,” Father Breidenbach continued. “Bishop Thompson has consistently spoken of the need for God’s grace to make him a good bishop, and has set a positive tone by speaking humbly of his need for prayer. I believe the people of the diocese will embrace him . . . with the support he needs to become a good shepherd.”
At vespers the evening before the ordination, Bishop Thompson called upon all the baptized to fulfill their vocation to holiness, to be witnesses to the love of God. “Holiness finds expression in our desire to worship. Together let us be beacons of hope to a world in need of hope.” [Welcome, Bishop Charles! Bienvenidos, Obispo Carlos!]