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"All Who Are Baptized and Confirmed Participate in the Shepherding Role of Christ"

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Some shepherds didn't act in the best interest of their flock especially the most vulnerable, our children.
Fr. Gerry Creedon's homily delivered at St. Charles on April 21, 2002

We are familiar with the idea of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but where does the idea of Jesus as "the gate" come from? In Jesus' time, the shepherd acted as the gate. A palisade or fence hemmed in the flock at night in a sheep pen. The shepherd would lie down across the gateway or entrance. Any wild animals that came under the cover of dark to attack the sheep would wake the shepherd by walking over him. The shepherd made himself vulnerable, risking his own life to protect the flock.

It is a beautiful image of Jesus, in his ministry and in his dying and rising. It is also an apt image of leadership. Leadership in the church like the leadership of Jesus needs to be vulnerable, needs to take risks and needs to be focused on the protection and the well being of all God's people. That's why the recent scandals in the church have presented such difficulty. Some shepherds didn't act in the best interest of their flock especially the most vulnerable, our children. Other shepherds did not to take responsible corrective action. They seemed more interested in protecting perpetrators than their victims.

We had a discussion here last week with approximately 100 people in attendance. Questions were raised not only with regard to how the Pope and the Vatican will correct this situation but what are we doing as a parish to insure the protection of children?

I wish to publicize today the diocesan policy governing our parishes since 1991. While the policy is known to our volunteers and clergy, it is not well enough advertised in our community. I have placed sections of the diocesan and parish policy at the main entrance and complete texts in the office and parish library. The web site will soon also offer information on guidelines. As Pastor I will make every effort to insure these policies are conscientiously followed by all of us who assume roles of leadership and service in our church. All who are baptized and confirmed participate in the shepherding role of Christ. All are called to protect and support life.

Note: A visiting seminarian also spoke at Mass.

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Revised/reviewed April 30, 2002