Votive Mass for Election of a Bishop Homily

On this 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Archbishop Fabre, our diocesan administrator, has asked that every parish in this diocese celebrate a Votive Mass for the appointment of a new bishop. It was for this reason that we used a lectionary different then the Sunday lectionary.

If we would of read from Sunday’s lectionary we would of heard a few words proclaimed only two weeks ago, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This statement was directed to His disciples who became the first priests and bishops of the church.

In the church we profess the reality of apostolic succession. Apostolic succession is an unbroken chain that stretches from the modern day bishops of the Church to the apostles who were sent out by Christ. If there was a broken link in this chain the reality of having a bishop or priest is something which would be impossible. 

Therefore, it is Jesus who gave His apostles an important role in the life of the Church as He called them by name and sent them out. They along with Peter are able to “bind and loose” for they hold teaching authority over the whole Church. So too throughout the Church’s history has such authority been extended to the bishops of the Church.

The Diocese of Knoxville is currently what is known as “sede vacante” which means “the chair is vacant.” The chair that is being spoken of is that chair in the cathedral in Knoxville which the bishop alone sits on. This chair is important for it is a symbol of his teaching authority. In Judaism the rabbi would sit upon a chair whenever he was speaking from a position of authority.

As the people who make up this diocese we must now pray for the movement of the Holy Spirit as we await a new bishop for this diocese. As we heard in our Gospel Acclamation, “I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The bishop is often referred to as being the Chief Shepherd for his ministry is modeled after the Good Shepherd which is Christ.

May the bishop that will called by name to serve this diocese have the desire to be faithful to the Church’s teachings and model Himself after Christ who is the Good Shepherd. As people of faith may we be prepared to receive our new bishop and to support him with our prayers. It is this bishop who will continue to care for the people of this diocese as Christ cares for needs of His Church. He will teach, govern, and sanctify the people who have been entrusted to his care. He will anoint the faithful with the Sacred Chrism as the Holy Spirit is called upon them in a special way in the sacrament of confirmation. He will anoint the hands of priests with Sacred Chrism who through their ordination will be sent forth to shepherd the people of this diocese.

Let us continue to support our new bishop with our prayers whoever he may be. Make sure to include him in your daily prayer intentions even praying that prayer that we pray at the end of Mass for him. Support him through your prayer and fasting that “the Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit, appoint a new shepherd after the heart of His Son, the eternal shepherd and may we come to receive him with great joy.”