Bishop Shane has three main responsibilities:
To Teach
A bishop is the principal teacher in his diocese and has a responsibility to preach the Word of God to his people. He must ensure that those delegated to teach in his name, namely priests, teachers, catechists and others, teach the truth.
To Govern
This refers to meeting the needs of the local community (material, social, personal and spiritual) as well as ensuring that Church laws are observed.
He is ultimately responsible for training and supplying priests for parishes, for the finances of the diocese and for all church property.
A bishop has the power to make Church laws, be a judge in Church matters and to enforce observance of these laws. These laws generally relate to worship, preaching, administration of the sacraments, safeguarding the faith and morals of the faithful and religious instruction.
To Sanctify
A bishop is responsible for ensuring that the sacraments are administered and has the special authority to ordain priests and to confirm.
It is usually the case, then, for a bishop to ordain the priests who are to serve in his diocese and to travel around the diocese and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation.
He must also ensure that Mass is celebrated in the diocese every Sunday and on major feast days.
Other obligations
Must live in the diocese for most of the year, unless on official business in Rome or when attending a Church Council.
Has a serious duty to be present at his cathedral during the seasons of Lent and Advent, and on the feasts of Easter, Pentecost, Christmas and Corpus Christi.
Every five years a bishop must send a report to Rome.
Bishops must visit Rome to meet with the Pope at least once every five years and visit the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
Bishops must regularly visit each part of their diocese.
Bishops must attend Synods (meetings of Bishops) when they are called.
What symbols are associated with the Bishop?
Crosier: The shepherd's staff used on ceremonial occasions. It symbolises being the shepherd of the people in the diocese.
Mitre: The triangular headgear, also worn by the Pope. There are three kinds depending on the liturgical season, and it is removed whenever the bishop is about to pray.
Pectoral Cross: The large ornamental cross worn as a necklace.
Ring: A ring worn on the third finger of the right hand. Some people kiss the bishop's hand as a sign of their love for him and the recognition that he is a living icon of Christ in the midst of the Church.
Zucchetto: Bishops wear a purple zucchetto on their head while cardinals wear red and the Pope wears white.
Coat of Arms: A bishop chooses symbols appropriate to himself and his diocese. The arms of the diocese may occupy the left side whilst his personal arms occupy the right.
Motto: In order to motivate the faithful and to set himself a specific direction, a new bishop will select a set of meaningful words, often written in the official language of the Catholic Church, Latin, on the bottom of the Coat of Arms. Bishop Shane's motto is "That they may have life to the full". Taken from JOhn 10:10 "I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full."
How do we address our Bishop?
In conversation, Bishop Shane would like to be addressed as ... Bishop Shane. (The formal way to address a Bishop is 'My Lord').
