Earlier this month, Fr. Joel Konzen was ordained auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Fr. Konzen is a priest of the Society of Mary (the Marists) and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. He joined the staff of Marist School in Atlanta in 1980, and he served there for nine years at different times as a teacher, admissions director, principal and president. He then held different positions in the Marist order until returning to Marist School in 1999, where he served as principal until his appointment as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Our Church teaches us that the ordained ministry is conferred and exercised in three degrees: that of bishops, that of priests, and that of deacons.  Our Catechism states, “The bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates him into the episcopal college and makes him the visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him.  As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops share in the apostolic authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter.”  A primary responsibility of a bishop is to teach, govern, and sanctify.  As an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Bishop Konzen joins Bishop Shlesinger in assisting Archbishop Gregory in his task of shepherding the people of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

In his publication, “The Duties of the Bishop”, the Most Reverend Robert Carlton, quoting various sources, stated that Bishops “…have the responsibility of preaching the Gospel, administering the sacraments, and guiding Christ’s flock.  The Bishop is the principal teacher in the faith community. As such, he must be devoted to preaching the Gospel constantly.  That preaching aims at illuminating to the faithful what they must believe and put into practice, while steering them away from every error that is life-threatening to the spirit.”  He also stated, “Preaching the message of salvation, the Bishop must make it his first concern to lead others to knowledge of the truth of salvation in Christ and to that ‘obedience of faith’ which welcomes God’s saving Word and opens man to the transformation of grace.” 

 

The following prayer provided by the Catholic publication outlet “Catholicity” reflects the call of the bishop to humble service:  

   

Please pray for Bishop Konzen as he embraces his new responsibilities.