Episode 47: Clergy, Part 1: Pre-Ordination

Bishop Scharfenberger starts to chat with Deacon Matt about what can be done in pre-ordination to increase fraternity among deacons and priests.

See all Episodes

Full Description

Deacon Matt chats with Bishop Scharfenberger, the Bishop of Albany, NY, about what can be done for pre-ordination to promote greater fraternity among the clergy. You’ll hear about:

Examples of USCCB Plenary sessions of promoting greater fraternity among bishops
Pre-ordination formation and the focus on human formation
Cultural dynamics that factor into individualism and isolationism

Bishop Scharfenberger and Deacon Matt also answer:

Is there a tendency among seminarians toward a “me and Jesus” vs. “we and Jesus” mentality?
What needs to happen in pre-ordination formation to help priests and deacons understand each other and work together better?

Don’t miss the second part of this podcast: Clergy, Part 2: Post-Ordination

Meet Bishop Scharfenberger

On February 11, 2014, he was named by Pope Francis as the tenth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. He was ordained to the episcopacy on April 10, 2014, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. For his Episcopal Motto, Bishop Scharfenberger chose a line from the Prayer of St. Francis: “Lord, make me a channel of your peace.”

Noted Resources

Encyclical Letter: Fratelli Tutti of The Holy Father Francis on Fraternity and Social Friendship

“Holy Orders: Deacons and Priests” in The Deacon by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

“Pope: ‘Deacons are the guardians of service in the Church’” in Vatican News by Robin Gomes

The Mission of the Fraternity of Priests

“Parochial Solipsism” in Homeiletic & Pastoral Review by Fr. John Nepil