Bishop’s Office

A bishop oversees the ministerial and administrative life of a diocese, which is made up of local communities (parishes) of the faithful. He acts as a father to and a brother among the priests of his diocese and serves as the spiritual leader for all entrusted to his care. The word diocese comes from a Greek term meaning “to keep house.” In the Catholic tradition, a bishop is regarded as a shepherd, a successor of the apostles whom Jesus Christ chose to continue his work on earth.

The primary purpose of the Bishop’s Office is to provide the bishop with the support and resources necessary to fulfill his threefold mission as teacher of the faith, celebrant of the sacraments, and governor of the diocese.

Reporting to the Bishop of the Diocese of Portland are the Vicar General, the Chancellor, the Judicial Vicar, and the Moderator of Administrative & Pastoral Services.

At the heart of the bishop’s role is his vocation to teach the faith. His teaching is grounded in the word of God, preserved and handed down through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The bishop continually invites people to salvation by believing, accepting, and living the divinely revealed truth. As Christ’s own public ministry was drawing to a close, he directed the apostles to preach the Gospel “to the ends of the earth,” a mission each bishop continues daily within the diocese he shepherds.

The bishop’s ministry also sanctifies the Church and the world, most importantly through prayer, reverence, and example. His personal faith journey stands as a public witness and a source of hope for his people, helping them to grow in holiness by communicating the love of God and neighbor after the example of Jesus Christ. As the chief shepherd, he fosters a spirit of prayer, celebrates the liturgy and sacraments, and promotes peace and justice, especially for the poor and marginalized.

To govern a diocese requires constancy, courage, and fidelity. The bishop presides in charity over the flock entrusted to his care. His authority comes from Christ himself and is modeled on the example of the Good Shepherd, who came to serve. In this way, the bishop works to preserve the Church’s unity as the Bride of Christ, guiding her people and resources to accomplish her mission in love.

The call to teach, govern, and sanctify forms one unified ministry in the life of a bishop. The fullness of the priesthood is found in those who have received the order of bishop, men entrusted with carrying forward the apostolic mission of Christ.