Bishop Tran’s ministry in Atlanta will be fruitful

Archbishop Gregory Aymond delivered this homily Jan. 22 at Solemn Vespers for priests at Christ the King Cathedral in Atlanta, the night before Bishop-elect John Tran, the former pastor of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Mandeville, was ordained as auxiliary bishop of Atlanta.

We will reflect tonight briefly on Jesus, who called the first apostles, and also look at the advice of some of the apostles as they took on the role of shepherd.

My brothers, hopefully these reflections will help us to better understand and appreciate the ministry of bishop and enable Bishop-elect John Tran to open wide his heart to God's Spirit, who will anoint him to be a successor of the apostles.

In order to do this, we first must reflect upon Jesus, who called himself the Good Shepherd. The bishop reflects Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd as he carries the shepherd’s staff. We are reminded as he carries the staff, that he is a servant leader of the people of God, nourishing the flock, seeking out the lost, calling them to be unified.

And, like Jesus, we are reminded that he comes to serve and not to be served.

We also look at Peter the Apostle and the great shepherd, who gives advice on carrying out this ministry to those who shared in the shepherding role of the early church. And, he tells those early shepherds, “God’s flock is in your midst. Give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly, not under constraint or for your profit, but do so generously and humbly.”

Peter goes on to say, “Be an example to the flock, not lording it over them, not lording it over any of those assigned to you. Be humble.”

St. Gregory the Great was a strong leader and a good shepherd. Though called to lead others, he is aware of his own weakness and sin, and he says, “I, myself, do not always live according to my own preaching. In spite of my weakness and my sin, God will give me what I need to lead his people, and I will come to know God's mercy. … Continue the conversion of hearts.”

St. Augustine tells us that, as a bishop, he is not separated from his people, but one with them in faith. And he says, “For you, I am a bishop. With you, I am a disciple of Jesus.”

St. Augustine sees himself first as a disciple needing to be strengthened by his baptismal commitment. But his ministry to his people as bishop is to lead them, to serve them, that they may grow closer to Christ, and that he himself will make Christ the shepherd present to them all.

More recently, Pope Francis said, “Today, we need bishops who are capable of walking with the people. They must do more than listen but go out to the poor and the vulnerable and the helpless; go to the margins of society, where people are lost. … The title bishop is one of service, not for your honor or to separate you from your people.”

Bishop-elect John, as a successor of the apostles, much is entrusted to you, my brother, and much is asked of you. You can fulfill the ministry that will be given to you tomorrow as you stay close to Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd who calls you to be a shepherd for others.

As you follow him, John, 

you can lead others; but only if you follow him, the Good Shepherd, can you lead others.

Like all bishops, Bishop-elect John comes with his own story of life. As we know, he was born in Vietnam. He and his family left Vietnam, and they received refugee status following the war. He settled in New Orleans, and, from New Orleans, went to other places, where he attended school and enjoyed his education. As a young man, he came to know and he discerned God's call to the priesthood and was ordained by Archbishop Schulte in 1992.

My friends, we gather together tonight to thank Bishop-elect John for being a very dedicated priest, for being a humble man and for taking on leadership in the archdiocese, especially among his fellow priests, serving as chair of the Presbyteral Council, and also serving in so many different ways to the well-being of his brothers.

God now calls him to serve as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. We in the Archdiocese of New Orleans have been blessed by his ministry for three decades, and for this, we are grateful to God and grateful to Bishop-elect John.

My friends, we share him with you. We bring him to you, a humble man, a good priest, a dedicated leader.

And, you can be assured that in a very loving way, he will use his gifts and be a good shepherd.

John, we will miss you, but we know that your ministry here will be a blessing to many.

Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].