State of The Diocese

On the wall closest to the door hangs a letter from Pope John Paul II, authenticated with the Papal seal. The letter begins “Servus Servorum Dei,” which means, “Servant of the Servants of God.”

Deeper within the text the letter adds, “We have been persuaded that you, already endowed with the knowledge of things to be done, are now able to undertake this serious office of Pastor in your native diocese.”

As a baseball signed by Babe Ruth would be to a collector, the letter from the recent pope prompts its owner, Bishop George Thomas, to smile proudly.

The smile lasts until Thomas adds with calm simplicity, “So far, so good.”

It’s been nearly two years since Thomas, an Anaconda native, was installed as the 10th bishop of the Helena Diocese. The inauguration was a grand affair but even so, Thomas didn’t sit around relishing his new title.

Instead, he embarked on those “things to be done,” setting the lofty goal of exploring the pastoral needs of Catholics in western Montana.

The bishop has since logged more than 40,000 miles on his car, visiting nearly each of the 90 parishes, missions and stations spread across the 54,000 square miles that comprise the Helena Diocese.

It’s an area twice the size of Ireland but for 80,000 Catholics, it’s also home.

“I like being out in the communities,” Thomas said. “I go to places that don’t get to see the bishop very often. It’s wonderful to be present out there and connect with the people.”

With his initial travels now complete, Thomas has set out to fulfill the second part of his plan by assembling the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Members of the council represent various parishes, youth groups and cultural communities, including Americans Indians, around the western reaches of the state. It’s the council’s job to compile a Catholic-sort of wish list.

“I sent them out into the churches to listen and to ask what our pastoral priorities should be,” Thomas said. “Where do we want to move our resources and our people? It’s a structured listening process that will help with our next five-year plan.”

Calling the council his eyes and ears, Thomas expects the group to submit its first report later this month. The discussions that result should last into the spring with a written draft ready by year’s end.

Thomas has come to call the report a “vision statement that describes the pastoral needs of the diocese.” Based on his own travels across the state and his conversations with the people he’s encountered, he’s already anticipating the council’s findings.

“In every community, the number one concern I’ve heard is, will we have enough priests to go around in the future?” Thomas said. “That’s been a real source of high anxiety, especially for some smaller communities in Montana.”

Thomas returned from his 40,000-mile tour with a list of 23 expressed concerns.

Among them — will the church do more for youth and young adults? In larger parish cities such as Butte, Missoula and Kalispell, followers have asked to see the doors of the church opened wider to youth.

Thomas also wonders if the church is doing enough to provide new vocations to those who are interested. Recruitment into the priesthood, the sisterhood and the lay ministry should be invigorated, he believes.

“They’ve also asked if the church is doing enough for the poor, the disenfranchised and the mentally ill,” Thomas said. “That’s a big concern. The formal findings of the council will help change the face of our diocese.”

When Thomas was installed as the new bishop in 2004, the cathedral parish was engaged in a plan regarding its many properties.

One plan included a blueprint for a “Cathedral Square,” a project that would see two large buildings erected north of the Cathedral of St. Helena for parish and religious educational events.

But Thomas slowed that process down pending the findings of the council. To those who inquire, he patiently tells them, don’t put the cart before the horse. The face of the diocese will change based on the edict of the council.

“We’ll change our emphasis based on the changes in the pastoral landscape,” Thomas said. “It’s a very exciting process. It’s certainly the work of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the people coming together. You don’t know what it’s going to say until you’re all done, and I’m very open to it.”

Thomas said interest in the church is strong and attendance across western Montana looks to be growing. He said certain “barometric indicators” speak favorably toward his performance as bishop.

Donations to the Diocesan Offertory Program surpassed his lofty $300,000 goal by “101 percent.” New people are also inquiring about membership in the church.

“That’s been very strong this year and last,” Thomas said. “We’re seeing very healthy increases.”

College students are also showing renewed interest in religion, Thomas said. He’s held several “coffee talk” sessions with students, the last attracting 125 participants. Catholic social teachings and Pope Benedict’s new Encyclical, “God is Love,” are among the areas of interest.

Students also ask about the ordination of women, married priests, moral living, relationships and dating, and birth control.

“Poverty, faith, end-of-life issues, and the most pressing social issues in the world — like genocide and disease,” Thomas said. “Catholic social teaching is a pretty hot topic with these kids.”

Visiting parishes and missions across the region, Thomas heard concerns over a perceived shortage of priests. Yet he said that perception may be misplaced.

Despite the Church’s recent sex-abuse scandal, interest in religious vocations remains strong, Thomas said. The impact of the scandal hasn’t had the impact that some thought it might. A healthy, vigorous diocese, he said, works to attract other vocations.

“Something surprising has happened that I simply can’t explain, other than to say that it’s God’s work and not ours,” Thomas said. “I’ve heard and seen more young people stepping forward to inquire about priesthood than any other time I can remember.”

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com