March 11, 2007

Pastoral administrators to play key role in some parishes

In a few parishes that will be reconfigured this year, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec has announced he has approved guidelines for the appointment of pastoral administrators. A pastoral administrator is a lay person, a vowed religious or a deacon who will participate in the pastoral care of a parish entrusted to him or her, and whose provision of pastoral care is supervised by a priest moderator.

“I am confident that the Holy Spirit will bless our diocese with gifted men and women to serve in this capacity,” Bishop Kmiec said. “The Journey in Faith and Grace has shown us the tremendous need for pastoral leadership and the opportunity we have at Christ the King Seminary for the preparation of these men and women.

“Canon Law recognizes that in certain parish situations, due to the shortage of priests, the ministry of a priest as pastor may not be possible. In these situations, I will appoint a deacon, vowed religious, or a lay person to oversee the pastoral care of a parish. Pastoral administrators will allow some of our faith communities to remain in place and continue to be places of vibrant spiritual life.”

The role of the priest in these parishes would change. A priest moderator and a sacramental minister would also be appointed. The priest moderator provides supervision of the pastoral care given by the pastoral administrator. A sacramental minister is a priest who assists the parish by celebrating sacraments and providing other designated priestly ministry in collaboration with the pastoral administrator and priest moderator.

According to Kathleen Heffern, director of the diocesan Office of Church Ministry, the pastoral administrator’s role has been very well received in many dioceses in the country. “In our own diocese, we have had a sister and deacons in this position for a number of years and the experience has been most positive. These professional ministers, some of whom will be lay ecclesial ministers, have been gifted with leadership and, I trust, will be called forth, supported and encouraged by the Church of Buffalo. This is a significant way to help some of our parish communities continue to minister and be faithful to the mission of the Church.”

Pastoral administrators may be involved in a number of areas of parish life, including collaborating with the appropriate personnel for total parish religious education; presiding and giving scriptural reflections at Communion services and other prayer services; promoting community building activities and a welcoming spirit among parishioners; hiring, supervising and evaluating parish staff, and taking part in parish Mass celebrations. The pastoral administrator will also administer the finances of the parish in consultation with a parish finance committee.

The pastoral administrator position requires a Master’s Degree in Divinity, Pastoral Ministry, Theology or Religious Studies from a Roman Catholic institution. It also requires experience and demonstrated competency in parish work and pastoral skills. In certain situations, exceptions may be made when a candidate has demonstrated a particular expertise. These exceptions must be approved by the bishop.

Those interested in and qualified for the office of Pastoral Administrator should request an application packet from the diocesan Office of Church Ministry.

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