The public rites to welcome Bishop Joseph Williams as the coadjutor bishop of Camden with the right of succession began with the celebration of evening prayer on Monday, September 9, during which he took the Oath of Fidelity and made a public Profession of Faith.
These are required by canon law when a person assumes a public office in the Church. For example, a pastor of a parish when he is assigned to the parish also makes the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity in the presence of his bishop.
They are complementary declarations of adherence to the faith of the Church and to ecclesial communion in the Catholic Church. Bishop Williams took the Oath of Fidelity and made the Profession of Faith in the presence of the nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the personal representative of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
On the Church calendar, September 9 is the memorial of Saint Peter Claver (born 1580 – died 1654) – a priest who ministered in Cartagena, Colombia, to African slaves who arrived in boats in foul, inhuman and horrific conditions. Chained, sick, starving and some dying. To them, Peter Claver ministered the mercy of Jesus Christ.
He ministered mercy in many ways, including: by attending to their physical conditions with food, drink and medicine; by spiritual encounter, seeking the salvation of their souls; by catechetical instruction, teaching them the Catholic faith; and by human accompaniment and personal contact.
I was the celebrant and preacher at that evening prayer, and in my homily, I challenged Bishop Williams that the examples of mercy that Saint Peter Claver demonstrated and extended to those desperate slaves should also be extended by him to all during his episcopal ministry in Camden. I reminded him that Saint Peter Claver eventually became a moral force in the society of Cartagena, and that should also be a goal for the Bishop. Our South Jersey society needs a clear, straight-talking moral voice.
I said, “Let your episcopal ministry build up the faithful as missionary disciples about which our Holy Father, Pope Francis, continually reminds the Church. Follow the example of Saint Peter Claver. Teach and preach the Catholic faith. Be a healer for all who suffer spiritually, emotionally and physically. Help those who are in the chains of addiction, hatred and racial prejudice. Show the mercy of environmental concern for the world of South Jersey in which people live. Whether in our popular shore communities with focus on the environmental issues with which they are plagued due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; apply the principles and teachings of Pope Francis as found in the encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti.’ Have the mercy of accompaniment for those who live in our inner cities – Camden City, Vineland, Millville, Pleasantville – and the poorest county in the state of New Jersey, Salem County. Accompany the poor, the immigrant, the homeless, the socially rejected. Show the mercy of presence to those in our suburban parishes and the challenges families face. Preach who and how God is. Communicate with those in the flock, those outside the flock and those on the peripheries.”
I concluded my homily by suggesting a change in the traditional proverb, “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” which translates into, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” Those words assume the people speak with one voice, which is not true. I suggested change the proverb to “Voces Populorum, Vox Dei,” which translates into, “the voices of the peoples are the voice of God.” All the people through whom is heard what God is saying now to the Church in Camden.
I encourage all who read this column to pray for our coadjutor bishop as he familiarizes himself with our wonderful Diocese, its priests, deacons, consecrated women and men, and the good people of God. All these contribute to the building up of our Church and to making the kingdom of God a reality in South Jersey.
Saint Peter Claver, pray for Bishop Joseph Williams.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden