NEWLY APPOINTEDITIS…

Over the years, bishops have told newly appointed pastors not to make any major changes in their parish for at least one year. Bishops recommend that the pastor get to know his staff and parishioners first and during that year evaluate what is good and working and what isn’t so good and thus not working. 

As far as interior decorating, bishops really emphasized not changing around any furniture in the sanctuary and not spending big bucks to remodel the rectory and buy new stuff for it in their first year.

What these bishops were addressing is called “newly appointeditis ” meaning the new pastor cannot keep his OCD in check and makes changes compulsively and without regard to what preceded him, good or bad. It is also a problem with “control freaks” who think their authority allows them to trample upon people and do away with their “due process.” 

It isn’t Catholic and certainly not Christian in the broad sense and does little to nothing to maintain peace and tranquility in parishes or dioceses or even the Universal Church for that matter. 

I am not going to comment on the debacles currently happening in a compulsive way in the Archdiocese of Detroit other than to say an OCD personality tending towards dictatorial control without regard to due process and consulting with those who should be consulted in personnel matters isn’t helpful for the unity of a parish, diocese of the Universal Church, a unity Pope Leo XIV truly wants to restore after 12 years of polarization, most of that based on what is happening now in Detroit. 

And bishops need to keep in mind that the world is smaller and smaller than ever thanks to social media and instant communications. 

I know, first hand, when I have had just cause to fire someone on my staff, that the firing of that person causes people to take sides. Those who sided with the one fired only approached the difficult decision from the perspective of the one fired. Firing someone is very difficult, but due process needs to take place.

And the “boss” who does the firing has to observe confidentiality whereas the one fired can stir up all kinds of hornets’ nests. 

Sometimes these things go to litigation and agreements reached in a court with a confidentiality clause cannot be communicated to the public. 

Finally, Pope Leo XIV does not have newly elected appointeditis. He is moving methodically and slowly to establish his staff and vision for the Church. Of course he has quickly reversed many of the papal protocols that Pope Francis dumped. But that has had a healing effect on the Church and applauded by most and bringing about some sense of peace, unity and tranquility in the Church. There is a whole lot of good will right now on all sides of the ideological perspective for Pope Leo XIV.

I don’t think that is true of what is happening in Detroit. It is sad and tragic for the Church there and throughout the world. 

Detroit, Charlotte and other dioceses could learn much from Pope Leo XIV!

Since I am Italian, I like making connections where none may exist, it’s simply coincidental.  However, at the papal website for Saturday, July 26, Pope Leo XIV sends a brief message to Pax Christi which is having a convention in Detroit 

Tell me there isn’t a message in this communication from Pope Leo to Pax Christi and by way of them to the Archbishop of Detroit:

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV 
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
OF PAX CHRISTI USA

[Detroit, Michigan, 25-27 July 2025]

___________________________________________

I extend cordial greetings and good wishes to those participating in the semi-annual National Assembly of PaxChristi USA, taking place in Detroit, Michigan this July.

In the midst of the many challenges facing our world at this time, including widespread armed conflict, division among peoples, and the challenges of forced migration, efforts to promote nonviolence are all the more necessary. We do well to remember that after the violence of the Crucifixion, the risen Christ’s first words to the Apostles offered peace, one “that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering” (First Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”, 8 May 2025).

Jesus continues to send his followers into the world to become creators of peace in their daily lives. In parishes, neighborhoods, and especially on the peripheries, it is all the more important for a Church capable of reconciliation to be present and visible (cf. Address to the Italian Episcopal Conference, 17 June 2025).

I pray in a particular way that your gathering will inspire all in Pax Christi USA to work to make their local communities into “‘houses of peace’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished” (ibid.). In this way, you will enable many more people to embrace Saint Paul’s invitation to live at peace with their brothers and sisters (cf. Rom 12:18).

With these sentiments, I entrust the Assembly to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of abundant heavenly graces.

From the Vatican, 20 July 2025

LEO PP. XIV