Excerpted from a message from the bishop, August 6, 2015 “Thanks be to God for the faithful ministry of our Camden priests.”
“…I [think] back on my own experiences of new assignments and leaving the parishes where I had served. Leaving is never easy. Arriving in the new assignment can be challenging — new people, new traditions, new territory.
The change of an assignment for a priest is part of the rhythm of life in a local church. A diocesan priest is ordained for ministry in the entire diocese and not exclusively for a particular parish. When he serves the parish his priestly ministry binds him to his people. However, a diocesan priest is first bonded to his bishop. The bishop oversees the diocese with his principal collaborators, the priests. They promise obedience to him at their ordination to the priesthood. Their promise of priestly obedience provides the bishop with the authority to assign his priests wherever in the diocese for the service of God’s people.
Yes, change can be difficult for the people of the parish and for the priest, but change enriches the local church and the presbyterate. The priest takes to his next assignment what he has experienced, learned and created in the former parish…
…Thanks be to God for the faithful ministry of our Camden priests who not only need our prayers but also deserve our praise and gratitude for the selfless service to the faithful and to all peoples. Our diocese is blessed by their ministry and I am blessed to be their bishop.”