Three Bishops Doing Their Job | National Catholic Reporter

Three Bishops Doing Their Job | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Bridgeport is interesting, because the prior Ordinary was then Bishop Lori, who rumor has it was to have been given Law's See - and certainly has never shied away form publicity and politics. Its good to see a pastor as pastor (which is a better translation of Overseer in the Bible than Bishop). Indeed, all three are pastors. That Wuerl emphasized charity is no accident. He presides over one of the most active Catholic Charities organizations in the nation - and has wisely not messed with it much - although not covering spouses was uncalled for - so he has not shied away entirely from culture wars. Spokane is known for its humble church. I know the prior Ordinary, who was involved with Catholic Charities at the national level and he had followed the example to live simply.



Still, I wonder how these events would have gone if parishes had both a pastor and a lay deacon administrator - both of whom hired by the laity? If both of these were part of a diocesan council meeting on a permanent basis and electing the bishop when needed (and firing him or her as well) without approval by the Holy See or the Patriarch, how would this effect ministry in each diocese and the Church as a whole. I bet some of the lingering pelvic questions, including ordination, would be settled both quickly and differently.