Week
of
February 6, 2002
Inside the Register
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New Colorado Springs coadjutor bishop to focus on vocations
Bishop Michael Sheridan will lead diocese when Bishop Hanifen retires
By Patty O'Connell
On
the day that Bishop Michael J. Sheridan's appointment as coadjutor of
the Colorado Springs Diocese became official, Bishop Richard Hanifen described
him as the answer to prayer.
"What a joy it is that Bishop Sheridan is here," he said. "He is just what we all prayed for."
Bishop Sheridan, the former auxiliary bishop in St. Louis, answered questions about his new role during a press conference Jan. 30 at the Antler's Adams Mark Hotel.
"Although I have not been here long enough to evaluate all the needs of this diocese, one of the priorities will be vocations," Bishop Sheridan said. Talking with Catholic youth about the priesthood and religious life is something Bishop Sheridan said he enjoys. Describing the priesthood as "a wonderful life," he said that parents hesitate suggesting the priesthood wrongly thinking that in today's materialistic society their child won't be happy.
"I know a lot of happy priests," he said. "I'm happy doing what I do, and I enjoy telling young people just that."
Among the many aspects of the priesthood that give him joy are preaching the Gospel and praying with people, the bishop said.
"People seem to think that because we have a shortage of priests, God has taken a vacation from calling young men," he said. "Not only does the Church need priests and religious, but God is calling them. I encourage them to say a prayer every day and to listen for a calling."
The unassuming bishop said that a personal approach is the best way to increase vocations.
"They will only be open to the call if they are encouraged by a priest, encouraged by parents, and encouraged by teachers in the Catholic schools," he said.
Young people often just assume that marriage is the natural vocation, he said, even though our culture doesn't always paint the best picture of marriage and family life. The Church can do a better job promoting both marriage and the priesthood, he said.
"We must somehow create a culture for priests and a culture for marriage that will be countercultural," Bishop Sheridan said.
Married priests are not the answer to the priest shortage, he said.
"If not being married had anything to do with the shortage of priests, we would never have had priests in the entire history of the Church," he said. "It can't be demonstrated that allowing priests to be married will increase the number of men answering the call to priesthood."
The new coadjutor said he also plans to focus on religious education.
"Catholic education is more than schools," he said. "We need to create what the pope calls a `new evangelization,' which is not only in Catholic schools but education of all ages."
The bishop said he wants to get involved with Bishop Hanifen's efforts at Jewish-Christian dialogue, and dialogue between Catholics and the Protestant and evangelical communities.
"Ecumenism and interfaith relations is part of what it means to be Catholic. The pope has made that clear," he said. "I'm looking forward to these kinds of conversations and meeting the people involved. I anticipate smooth and cordial times ahead."
As coadjutor Bishop Sheridan will work with Bishop Hanifen for one to two years, until they agree that the transition is complete and Bishop Hanifen retires.
Bishop Hanifen expressed gratitude for Bishop Sheridan's commitment to increasing vocations and his willingness to tackle the growth of the diocese.
"Bishop Sheridan is the right person to handle these challenges," he said.