PAGE 8 THURSDAY APRIL18.2002 COURIER DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, N.Y.

St Leo IX a worthy example of church leadership In the midst of what is surely the great­ celibacy, such as we have today. Leo re­ tions went badly, and three months after est crisis the has faced moved several simoniacal bishops from the 's death, the leaders on both in modern times/Catholics might reflect office and reaffiirmed the penances that sides excommunicated one another. for a moment on the pastoral leadership had been imposed by his predecessor, Leo's last days were marked by illness provided by Leo IX (1049-54), a relative­ Pope Clement II, on priests who were as well as deep regret over these events. ly obscure Alsatian-born pope whose essays in knowingly ordained by such bishops. He even placed his bed next to his coffin feast day is this Friday, April 19. He gathered a "kitchen cabinet" of in St. Peter's Basilica and died there on Leo IX was one of five to have theology distinguished church leaders (including April 19, 1054. It is said that within 40 been proclaimed a over the entire two future popes, Gregory VII and years some 70 cures were attributed to course of the second Christian millenni­ Stephen IX) to help in the reorganiza­ his intercession. He was soon acclaimed um. That accounts for only 4 percent of tion of the . He also sought a saint, and in 1087 his relics were en­ the 123 occupants of the Chair of Peter the advice of Hugh, the of the shrined (which in those days was tanta­ during that period of time. The others died in August 1049, after less than a great monastery of Cluny (in Burgundy), mount to canonization). were Gregory VII (1073-85), Celestine V mondi in office, Bruno accepted the em­ and of Peter Damian. Both were leading One can only speculate about the sub­ (1294), Pius V (1566-72) and Pius'x peror's nomination to the papacy, but reformers of the day and both have since sequent turn of events in church history, (1903-14). only on the condition that the appoint­ been recognized by the church as . especially the Protestant of Leo was the third and best of the Ger­ ment be subsequently ratified by the cler­ Leo traveled so extensively throughout the 16th century. Had Leo IX's coura­ man popes who were imposed on the gy and laity of Rome. (Unlike present Europe to promote his reforms that he geous, reform-minded leadership been church by the German emperor Henry practice, bishops — including the Bishop was called the "Apostolic Pilgrim." He emulated by the various pre-Reformation III. Born in 1002, exacdy 1,000 years ago, of Rome — were elected by, not imposed held at least a dozen synods in Italy and popes, would such a disastrous shatter­ he was baptized Bruno and was known upon, their future flocks.) Germany, all the while insisting that bish­ ing of church unity have occurred? before his papal election as Bruno of Bruno traveled to Rome in the simple ops be elected by the local clergy and As the current pontificate draws slow­ Egisheim. He was later educated at Toul, garb of a pilgrim and was greeted there laity, and by their . ly to its end, questions inevitably surface, then a center of monastic reform, and with acclaim. He was crowned as pope Unfortunately, Leo DCs last years in of­ more often in private than in public, became a canon of its cathedral. (a custom that continued until PopeJoh n fice were tarnished by his personal in­ about likely successors. Given the types After serving as a member of the em­ Paul I put an end to it in 1978) on Feb­ volvement in a military campaign against of challenges facing the church in our peror's court, Bruno was appointed bish­ ruary 12 and took the name Leo to recall the Norman invaders in southern Italy. rime, the cardinal-electors would do well op of Toul in 1027 and remained in that the ancient, still uncorrupted church. In fact, he was held captive for several to elect someone with the vision and ministry for some 20 years, establishing Two mondis later he convened a syn­ months. While still a prisoner, he sent a character of Pope St. Leo IX. a reputation as an energetic reformer of od in Rome that denounced simony (the delegation to Constantinople to try to • • • clerical and monastic life. buying and selling of spiritual offices heal the growing rift between the East­ Father McBrien is a professor of theology When Pope Damasus II, a Bavarian, and benefits) and violations of clerical ern and Western churches. The negotia­ at the University of Notre Dame. The Good Shepherd calls us to follow his example 4th Sunday of Easter (April 21): (R3) however, can tell diem apart. A shepherd that Christ calls useach to follow his ex­ John 10:1-10; (Rl) Acts 2:14,36-41; (R2) once explained it to his Christian friend ample. 1 Peter 2:20-25. who expressed surprise at his familiarity Our Lord's job is thankless too. He's Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. Be­ with each animal. "See that sheep over always there to help us and seldom do ing a shepherd is a thankless job. Imag­ a word there?" he asked. "Notice how it toes in we say "Thanks." ine dealing with dumb, smelly sheep all a HnJe^ The one behind it has a squint, .»• * . . . ,- .,-',. „... . day. In Palestine, flocks of sheep dot the for the next one has a patch of wool off its Father Shambn is administrator of St. countryside, clutter up highways and back; ahead is one with a distinguishing IsaacJogues Chapel, Fleming. crowd the streets of towns and villages. Sunday black mark, while the one closest to us The shepherd walks in front of his flock has a small piece torn out of its ear." Ob­ and his sheep follow him. In fact, they serving them, the Christian thought Daily Readings crowd around so closely they hamper the about Christ, the Chief Shepherd, who shepherd's movement. A certain bonding takes place be­ also knows each of us with all our weak­ Monday, April 22 The life of a shepherd was very hard. tween the shepherd and his sheep. As Je­ nesses and failings and watches over us Acts 11:1-18; Psalms 42:2-3, 43;M; He was never off duty. There being little sus said, " ... the sheep hear his voice." with discerning love and understanding. John 10:1-10 grass, the sheep were bound to wander, Sheep-calling contests are common in Christ, the Good Shepherd, takes the Tuesday, April 23 and since there were no protecting walls, Palestine. Several flocks are mixed to­ thanklessjo b of watching over his sheep, Acts 11:19-26; Psalms 87:1-7; the sheep had to be watched constantly. gether in an enclosure. Then shepherds taking the trouble to know them by John 10:22-30 On either side of the narrow plateau, the WbJStle a distinctive tune or shout in a name. Can you imagine that? There have Wednesday, April 24 ground dipped sharply down to the crag­ peculiar manner. Some shepherds use a always been people with a good memo­ Acts 12;24-13;5A; Psalms .67:2-3, gy deserts and the sheep were always li­ pipe with a particular pitch. Each shep­ ry for names: Napoleon knew thousands 5-6, 8; John 12:44-50 able tO Stray and get lost. The shepherd's herd's signal is understood by his own of his soldiers by name; James Farley Thursday, April 25 task was not only constant but danger­ sheep and they respond immediately. knew 50,000 people by name; Charles 1 Peter 5:5B-14; Psalms 89:2^3, 6-7, ous, for he had to guard the flock against They make their way through the crowd­ Schwab knew the names of all 8,000 of 16-17; Mark 16:15-20 wolves and thieves. With little pay and ed enclosure to where their shepherd is his employees at Homestead Mill. But Friday, April 26 little human contact, being a shepherd waiting. The shepherd who collects a giv­ can you imagine Christ knowing all his Acts 13:26-33; Psalms 2:6-11; had little to recommend it. en number of sheep in the shortest time sheep by name? That's millions and mil­ John 14:1-6 Yet Christ portrayed himself as shep­ is the winner of the contest. lions of people over 2,000 years. No won­ Saturday, April 27 herd. The most familiar image we have And the good shepherd knows his der we call him Master, Lord, Savior. Acts 13:44-52; Psalms 98:1-4; of Christ is that of a shepherd holding a sheep. To the untrained eye all sheep in Watching over his flock, calling them by John 14:7-14 lamb in his arms. a flock look alike. A good shepherd, name. But what we need to remember is

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