Posted on 07/01/2004 12:33:29 AM PDT by Phx_RC
Phoenix's fourth bishop remains ever faithful to Catholic Teachings
Exhibiting an inspired sense of composure in the face of would-be detractors, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted has peacefully and prayerfully handled many hot-button issues in his first six months in Phoenix.
Within his first week, the bishop was praying the rosary outside a local Planned Parenthood with more than 200 other Catholics on Christmas Eve. To this day, the bishop has made clear his intentions.
“My concern is for human persons,” said Bishop Olmsted. “My purpose for being there is to stand up and say that there are human beings who are being killed here and we cannot ignore that terrible evil that is happening.”
The election season in full swing, the current question facing all U.S. bishops remains: should Catholic politicians who support abortion receive Communion?
A statement released by the bishops June 18, titled “Catholics in Political Life,” makes clear that the protection of life at all ages and stages is society’s responsibility. This includes all Catholics, “whatever their profession would be,” said Bishop Olmsted.
“The protection of human life is a serious responsibility that we all have, and if someone has a possibility to exercise influence in that area and consistently does not do so, then they are not acting in accordance with their Catholic faith,” said Bishop Olmsted, adding that they should choose not to receive Communion.
Another challenge that the Church is faced with is the prospect of same-sex unions. In a series of columns that recently appeared in The Catholic Sun, the bishop called upon people with homosexual inclinations to live a chaste life.
Homosexual persons, like all human persons, are made in God’s image, the bishop said. “We welcome them in the Church, we respect them and we want to give them the same respect as other persons,” he said.
“We think that homosexual activity, like any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman, is wrong for them and therefore something that should not be endorsed by society,” he added.
By taking an active stance in the community on the issues of abortion and same-sex unions, the bishop has at times been labeled by some as conservative.
However, most Catholics are embracing their new bishop.
Case in point, Bishop Olmsted is largely credited for the largest turnout at a Good Friday rosary prayer in the event’s history. More than 1,000 people converged in prayer upon the sidewalks surrounding the Planned Parenthood headquarters last spring.
Like a Phoenix rising
The bishop came to Phoenix at a very difficult time in the diocese’s young history. Now that a year has passed since the landmark agreement between the Church and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office was signed, it appears that Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley is more than pleased with the progress the diocese has made. So much, in fact, that during the sexual abuse summit in May, co-sponsored by the diocese and the county attorney, Romley said he was satisfied that the agreement was all but finished.
“I was grateful for his statements,” the bishop said. “I think they express what we believe is true: that we have very seriously addressed this issue and that we’ve put in place safe environment training for all of our people in our parishes and our institutions.”
The bishop said that the victims’ stories are “very painful” and that it is, for him, “very moving to be working with them.”
He said that his purpose was to promote healing within victims and to assist them toward living a life of faith and prayer.
Another challenge the bishop faces has to do with the priest shortage in a state and diocese where the increases in demand never cease.
The bishop, who recently returned from his “ad limina” visit in Rome, said that he spoke of the priesthood and vocations to the priesthood with the Holy Father.
“I told him that I found the Diocese of Phoenix to be a missionary diocese, because it’s growing so quickly, and there are so many challenges and opportunities here for the Church,” said Bishop Olmsted.
Bishop Olmsted told the Holy Father that he was very impressed by the priests of the diocese, saying that the “challenges we have here are immense, and I find them inevitably ready to step up to take on even more duties.”
Bishop Olmsted, who worked directly for the Holy Father for almost 10 years, had not been back to Rome for 16 years. He said it was “very moving” to return and meet with the pope.
Upon returning to Phoenix, the bishop said that “it felt like I was coming back home.”
Amidst the time-consuming challenges he faces each day, the bishop devotes time to celebrate Mass each morning and in veneration before the Blessed Sacrament.
The bishop will put an even greater emphasis on the Eucharist in the coming year. Pope John Paul II announced a special year dedicated to the Eucharist, saying the Church needs to highlight its importance for spiritual life and missionary tasks of the 21st century.
Six Months at a Glance
• Nov. 25: Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted appointed fourth bishop of Phoenix Diocese. In a press conference that morning, the bishop said, “I have no doubt this is God’s will… and I accept in the spirit of ready obedience and gratitude.”
• Dec. 20: Installed as bishop at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. Thousands turned out for the event, and thousands more tuned in to see the ceremony televised live on KTVK Channel 3 and Mas! Arizona cable channel 55.
• Dec. 21: Bishop Olmsted celebrates first Mass in Phoenix, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, one of the largest Hispanic parishes in the diocese.
• Dec. 24: Prays rosary outside local Planned Parenthood agency for an end to abortion Christmas Eve with nearly 200 Catholics.
• Dec. 25: Celebrates Christmas morning Mass for inmates at Durango Jail.
• Jan. 10: Less than a month in as Phoenix’s fourth bishop, Bishop Olmsted travels north to meet the region’s Catholics and to celebrate Mass. During the journey he traveled to Prescott and Flagstaff, visiting all of the city’s churches. Two weeks later the bishop visits Catholics in Lake Havasu City and Kingman.
• Jan. 18: Leads convocation at 32nd Annual Pro-Life Rally.
• Jan. 22: Leads “Day of Prayer and Penance” at Diocesan Pastoral Center with more than 800 local Catholic youth. The three-hour celebration included praise, worship and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• March 4: Bishop Olmsted responds to abortion/informed consent legislation approved by the House of Representatives. In a written statement, the bishop thanked all of the legislators who voted in support of the measure, and was “hopeful that Governor Janet Napolitano will allow this commonsense legislation to become law.” The governor vetoed the measure.
• March 18: The bishop publishes a nationally-recognized column titled “Rebutting the ‘Catholic but…’” urging all Catholics to live and proclaim their faith, and to kick the “Catholic but…” syndrome. (e.g. “I am a Catholic politician but I don’t let my Catholicism impact on how I vote or what legislation I promote;” and “I am a Catholic physician but I don’t let my faith mold my decisions regarding abortion, contraception, or other medical practices.”)
• April 1: Bishop Olmsted authorizes the celebration of the Latin Mass according to the Missal of 1962. “In addition to providing a place for those in the Church who remain dedicated to the Latin Mass, the weekly celebration will provide an opportunity for scholars of liturgy and others to experience the Tridentine Mass,” the bishop wrote.
• April 9: On Good Friday, leads thousands of Catholics in prayer outside local Planned Parenthood headquarters
• May 6: Publishes the first of three columns titled “The Blessing of a Chaste Life: The Call to Holiness of Homosexual Persons” in The Catholic Sun. In the following weeks he would publish the remainder of the series.
• May 30: “Ad Limina” visit to Rome; first as bishop of Phoenix Diocese.
• June 14: U.S. bishops’ meeting in Colorado; first as bishop of Phoenix Diocese.
Link to Streaming Video Index: To view the June 22, 2004 press conference held by Bishop Olmsted as well as other events.
Link to Diocese of Phoenix Home Page.
Ping.
Actually,I think he is a great teacher of the Faith and the Truth is compelling and draws like a magnet.
Thanks for the post.
Not even a twitch of the needle on the old "gaydar?"
Not a twitch and I have a pretty fine tuned mechanism but as with all humans,I have erred once or twice. But in the other direction.AFAIK.
Good man.
Isn't it a shame that we have to go around touting the good Bishops for acting the way they are supposed to act!
We have to pray for them to keep them strong. How many Bishops have taken over a Diocese, shaken things up, then got beaten down by the reality of everyday life, and Priests who have no intention of cooperation.
BTTT
Ping!
sorry I see you are already here!
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