March 6, 2013

By Bishop Terry R. LaValley

I remember when Bishop Barbarito returned to Ogdensburg the day before his successor, Bishop Cunningham, was to be installed as our thirteenth bishop.  We were sitting at the dining room table over in the rectory when Bishop Barbarito asked if it was ok (as only Bishop Barbarito would seek permission) if we’d unlock the cathedral so that he could come over and sit one last time, on his cathedra, his bishop’s chair, before his successor would claim it as his own.

It was really a poignant moment for Bishop Barbarito. The Bishop’s chair, seat, throne, cathedra is a rich symbol of the sacred responsibility that a bishop has to teach his people the Catholic faith in the line of the apostles. 
As you know, normally, there is only one cathedral in a diocese.  There is only one diocesan bishop - the shepherd who teaches his people with the authority of the apostles from his cathedra.  Most often you will see the pervading theme or focus of the bishop’s teaching in his episcopal motto stated at the bottom of his coat of arms - mounted over his cathedra, much like mine located here over my head. 

Each year, on February 22nd, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.  Now, the Church isn’t focusing here on a piece of furniture, however ornate or simple, but on the Apostle Peter, the first leader of the Universal Church. 

I thought it appropriate on this Feast Day, that I preside here at our cathedral, as I always do, from my chair, at this special diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI who has occupied that Chair in Rome for the last eight years and who will retire as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of St. Peter next Thursday.  

With this decision, this holy, courageous, deeply humble and master teacher has set the stage for you and me to truly engage in the New Evangelization, a sacred time of renewal and hope in Church life. When he proclaimed this Year of Faith, the Holy Father urged all of us to take a close look at our personal relationship with Jesus Christ; to learn more about what we believe with special attention to the Creed and to the teachings of Vatican II; to celebrate the Sacraments with renewed devotion; and to pay closer attention to the needs of sisters and brothers around us. 

After much deep prayer and searching of his conscience, the Holy Father determined that it was time for him to make way for a new successor of Peter the Apostle, handing the baton, or keys, if you will, over to a person selected by the Cardinals of the Church under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, to teach us, in the tradition of the Apostles, and to lead and encourage us with hope-filled joy to proclaim and to give genuine witness as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Because Pope Benedict XVI firmly believes that the Church belongs to Christ, not to any one man or woman, not even a Pope, he determined that he did not have the personal stamina to lead with the vigor and energy that the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics demands at this time in human history. As you know, I personally, have great respect and affection for the man who appointed me shepherd of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  In fact, tomorrow is the third anniversary of that announcement here in Ogdensburg.

In my last extensive conversation with him - I suppose I should say in my only extensive conversation with him -  on Thanksgiving back in 2011 (when he gave me this Pectoral Cross that I’m wearing today), the Pope challenged me to build up and strengthen the families of our beloved North Country. By his decision to retire as our Pope next Thursday, he hopes to build up and further strengthen our family of faith, the Church Universal which he has so ably lead these last eight years as our Pope. 

Upon his retirement, his life of prayer and reflection will be a tremendous gift to the Church. Each of us will be greatly blessed if we spend time reading his profound writings.  They are easy to read, at least much easier to read than other Church documents, inspirational testaments of his love for Jesus and of His Body, the Church.
Let us honor Pope Benedict XVI with continued prayers for him and, indeed, for the whole Church at this historic moment in the life of the Catholic Church, indeed, of the whole world.

May God be praised…forever may God be praised!

photo by betty steele
Bishop Terry R. LaValley delivered his homily from the bishop’s chair - the cathedra - in St. Mary’s Cathedral in recognition of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Bishop LaValley celebrated the Mass for the intentions of Pope Benedict a week before he stepped down as pontiff.