St.

Paul’s Theological Seminary

Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Brgy. Bugnay, Jordan, Guimaras

Topic: Bishop, Priest, Deacon

Course: Ordination and Ministry
Formator: Fr. Larry J. Herrera

TO BE A BISHOP
To be a Bishop is

to be through election by the council of bishops and consecration placed among those who throughout the history
of Church until the present day exercise episkope, leadership and oversight of the Church;

to lead the Church of Christ in obedience to the Spirit and in the diocese be responsible for ensuring that the
Gospel is proclaimed purely and clearly and that the sacraments are distributed according to the order and
confession of the Church, for the salvation of human beings;

to define the doctrine of the Church;

to adopt and prescribe official liturgical rites;

to ordain new priests, deacons and bishops;

to be pastor pastorum for the clergy of the diocese;

to administer the ministry of grace, together with priests and deacons, in a Church characterized by boldness,
sensitive care and growth of the inner life;

to be a bridge-builder, with the calling to work for the visible unity of the Church, the office of the bishop is the
symbol of the unity of the church;

to participate in community life and give voices to the faith and values of the Church;

to administer the spiritual heritage of the Church in such a way that it is not dissipated but increases;

to pray for humility of the heart in accord with the example of Christ and, in faith, to seek forgiveness in the cross
and new fortitude form the raise One and, in spite of human weakness, to be the servant of divine unity;

to report to the Obispo Maximo, giving account annually the life and mission of the diocese.

TO BE A PRIEST

To be a priest is

to be by virtue of the call and ordination placed among the ministers of the divine word at all the time;

to proclaim the life-giving and saving presence of God in the whole creation and among all people;

to proclaim the gospel purely and clearly under the guidance of the Spirit;

to Baptize;

to convey forgiveness, comfort and meaning to people who are marked by guilt, sorrow and emptiness;
 to be the instrument when people through baptism are made lambs in the body of Christ and incorporated into the
fellowship of the Church of Christ;

to lead, with the assurance that Christ is present in bread and wine, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and
fellowship of the congregation with the faithful of all times and the entirety of the heavenly host;

to solemnize marriage, if authorized by the Civil government;

to administer holy viaticum and to give holy unction;

to hold fast in everything to the victory of Jesus Christ over death and thereby find nourishment for faith, strength
for hope and courage despite all shortcomings to be the servant of divine grace;

to perform pastoral services;

to be the chief executive and spiritual leader in the parish;

to report to the Diocesan Bishop, giving account annually the life and mission of the parish;

TO BE A DEACON

To be a deacon is

to be by virtue of call and ordination sent to convey the love of God among people through service in the power
of the holy spirit;

to “feed the hungry, help the sick, support the old” and in this way be the hand of Jesus Christ on Earth;

to “protect the under-privilege, give voice to the silenced, defend the espoused, support the weak, safeguard the
integrity of creation” and thus make the gospel visible;

to comfort the mourning and instruct those seeking the way of love;

to point to the reality of the kingdom of God in the midst of society and to struggle for justice, dignity and a
recognized place in society for all;

to bring the distress of the people before God, within the fellowship of the suffering and praising Church and with
sensitive and deep commitment in prayer;

to look to Jesus, the servant of servants, at all times, and so gain inspiration and strength to be, despite every
weakness, the servant of divine love;

to be by virtue of ordination, ascribed to or incardinated to the diocese for the service of which he/she was
promoted;

to be by duties an assistance to the parish priest;