Bishop-elect Fernandes
LOOKING FORWARD Ministry as Chaplain, Pastor and at the Nunciature’s Office formed Fernandes for Future as Bishop BY JESSICA RINAUDO
For many dioceses, a new bishop means a transfer: the bishop moves from one diocese to another. But for others, like the Diocese of Columbus, their new bishop is a priest who must first be ordained to the episcopacy. That is the case for Bishop-elect Earl K. Fernandes, whose episcopal ordination will be held on May 31. However, because Bishop-elect Fernandes is new to being a bishop doesn’t mean he’s unprepared. Years of service as a priest in a multitude of roles taught him to adapt and grow. In particular, Bishop-elect Fernandes believes his work as a chaplain at Lehman Catholic High School, as a pastor at multiple parishes, and for the apostolic nuncio’s office collectively prepared him to be Columbus’ next bishop. CHAPLAINCY
“I don’t know that you’re ever prepared [to be a bishop], but I think one of the things with being a high school chaplain is it keeps you in touch with young people who are not just the future of the Church, they’re the Church now, and [it keeps you in touch with] keeping them connected to the Church by showing interest in them. There’s interest in them in the classroom, but there’s an interest in them outside of the classroom, showing up at basketball games and football games. And it means the world to them that you’re interested in their life,” said Bishop-elect Fernandes. He continued, “I thought if I can be interested in them, then maybe they’ll be interested in the Church. And so I learned a lot about their enthusiasm for life, ways to be creative. … I can’t be like a young person. I’m not going to be a young person ever again. And sometimes young people need an adult in the room. They need a father figure. But to know that their father loves them is important.” PASTOR
When it comes to takeaways from being a pastor, Bishop-elect 2 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE G RAPH
