‘We’ve come a long way’: Weisgerber

By Frank Flegel

REGINA — Priests and the baptized are fundamentally inter-connected and the priest cannot perform his function unless the baptized perform theirs, said Winnipeg Archbishop James Weisgerber, who delivered the annual Reidy Lecture at St. Martin’s Parish in Regina last month.

Weisgerber talked about the Year of the Priest and why Pope Benedict decided to declare it. “For priests it is a year of recommitment and rededication,” he said, adding that he believes the pope wanted to focus attention on the role of the priest in the Christian community.

He began the lecture by referencing Vatican II, which took place in four three-month sessions from 1962-65.

“There were immense and profound changes happening in society,” said Weisgerber, but the church had been living in response to the Reformation for 500 years. “There were distorted views of the eucharist and the priesthood; it was time to rethink and we needed to speak in new ways.”

The fundamental insight and shift of the council, he said, emphasized that the bishops and priests are ordained to assist the baptized in the work of the church, not vice versa.

He described the work of the church, the Body of Christ, which is all members in baptism as priest, prophet and servant-king/shepherd. “In baptism we are all made priests to offer ourselves in self-sacrifice.”

Being a prophet, he said, is not about foretelling the future; it is about being a witness to God in society. “People should be able to see a difference in us. We need to allow the word of God to percolate within.” Weisgerber acknowledged that is difficult to do in today’s society, but Jesus said that he came to serve, not to be served, and that is what we are called to do. “We have to love, even if we don’t like someone.”

The priest has a threefold role, but he cannot be a priest unless the baptized be the baptized. “The first task of the priest is as teacher, to preach the Gospel to all,” he said. “How can we believe if we don’t hear?”

The second role is to celebrate the eucharist and, in that, everyone is involved. The third role is of servant-king/shepherd. “The priest calls us all together as one in faith and love to share with others.”

He emphasized again that the priest cannot perform his function unless the baptized perform theirs.

“The council was all about breathing new life in the church,” he said. “We’ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go.”