PERTH, WA: December 26, 1991
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New places and new faces... ARCHBISHOP HICKEY ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CHURCH GOVERNMENT In the first of moves affecting his governance of the diocese Archbishop Hickey has filled a new canoonical position and has appointed priests to other positions. Monsignor Michael Keating will become Moderator of the Curia according to the terms of canon 473, the first time the position has been filled in Perth. He will carry the position of vicar general and will remain parish priest of Highgate. In other moves Father Barry Whitely of Spearwood has been named episcopal vicar for clergy and fathers Justin Bianchini of St Charles' and Father Tim Corcoran of Wtiitfords as his assistant vicars. FT Tim Corcoran
Father Greg Carroll has been re-appointed as
judicial vicar with Father Brian O'Loughlin and Father Kevin Henry CSSR as assistant vicars. Archbishop Hickey said that in the new year he would be appointing vicars and episcopal deputies to the areas of education, social welfare and social justice, health and migration. The positions have been worked out in consultating with the Pastoral Planning Office. The vicars and deputies will meet from time to time as an advisory council to the archbishop. Those positions that require a cleric under canon law will be called episcopal vicars. Other positions will be filled by episcopal deputies whether they are clerical lay or religious, male or female. The archbishop said
that the complexity of modern dioceses had increased the load to the point where significant delegation was a necessity. "I expect the new positions will lighten my load considerably so that I might have more time for pastoral visitation, study and public comment. "I have felt hampered and even exhausted by the heavy administrative load that is part of the office of bishop," he said. Monsignor Keating commences his position on January 1 for a period of five years. His duties will be part-time, based at the Cathedral office. Archbishop Hickey said Monsignor Keating had shown great competence in administrative matters as vicar general under the late Archbishop Foley.
"He will be involved in the co-ordination of administrative matters and, inthe words of Canon 473, will 'ensure that the others who belong to the Curia properly fulfil the offices entrusted to them'. "In particular he will be responsible for the oversight of the Finance Committee and the Diocesan Chancery, the Diocesan Resources Committee, the Cathedral Office, the Diocesan Development Fund and the Pastoral Planning Office. He will also accept other administrative responsibilities that arise from time to time." "He will also convene the Advisory Council of Vicars and Deputies." The new vicars for clergy would show great concern for the welfare of priests, be a listening ear, offer encouragement
and represent priests' needs to him, Archbishop Hickey said. The priests had been chosen following a consultation of priests shortly after he took office. "These vicars carry on the work shouldered for many years sirdy by Bishop Healy, who was Vicar for Priests under Archbishop Foley," Archbishop Hickey said. "They will be closely involved in all matters pertaining to priests, inservice training, retirement issues such as accommodation, remuneration, retreats, parish appointments and so on." "We all know how vital it is for the life of the Church that priests' morale is high and that they feel encouraged and valued in the difficult apostolate they are called to."
Monsignor Keating
Fr Justin Bianchini
Third rite guide Archbishop Hickey has sent priests a set of guidelines for the proper use of the third rite of reconciliation. Priests applying for the faculty will have to give reasons why the people cannot avail themselves of individual confession and the third rite cannot be advertised in advance, according to the spirit of canon 961.
The priests will contact the archbishop or the vicars general for permission to use the rite. The bishop will make the judgement
as to whether the necessary conditions are fulfilled or not. The guidelines state that if individual confession is already available in a parish, a large crowd for a feast is not in itself sufficient justification. Penitents receiving general absolution at the third rite are to be carefully instructed as to its meaning and their obligation to confess serious sins in individual confession at a later time. In the revised liturgical practice for the sacrament of penance three distinct rites are
provided. The first rite of reconciliation is the private and full confession of sins to a priest with personal and penance absolution. The second rite provides for communal preparation followed by individual confession, penance and absolution. It generally requires a number of confessors. The third rite involves general preparation, general penance and absolution. Its use is restricted because the tradition of the
Church has demanded individual confession of serious sins and individual absolution. Archbishop Hickey said the Church has always provided for general absolution when suffificent confessors are not available, for instance, as for troops going into battle. In the revised rites guidelines are laid down so that the third rite does not become the norm. "The existence of conditions for the use of the third rite is a matter of episcopal said judgement,"
Archbishop Hickey. "Very broad guidelines are given which must be interpreted according to each situation. One could take a very strict line which would virtually rule out the use of the third rite completely, or one could be very liberal and undermine individual confession. "As the legislators obviously intended it be used sometimes, I am inclined to grant it mainly at Christmas and Easter in those areas where priests are few and the demand is strong."