It is important that Bishops don't feel like Catholic bloggers are out to 'get' them, or that they wish to set them up in some kind of a 'sting' operation. As I lay awake I came up with some questions I would like to ask my Bishop, if he were to be so gracious as to allow me to ask them and reply to them...
- What is the most exciting thing about being a Bishop? What is the most daunting thing about being a Bishop?
- Are you excited about the new translation of the Mass? Why?
- Bishops come in for a degree of criticism for not teaching the Catholic Faith in its fullness, on certain parts of the Catholic blogosphere. Do you think this criticism of the Bishops is fair? If so, why, if not why not?
- What is your favourite food?
- How regularly do you go to Confession? How regularly do you recommend that your flock should go to Confession?
- How do you like to relax?
- Which papal encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI has made the deepest impression upon you? Why?
- What steps have you taken to implement Summorum Pontificum? Do you think the liberation of the Latin Mass represents an exciting opportunity to expose the Faithful to the riches of the Church's spiritual tradition? Pope Benedict XVI has noted its popularity, especially with the young. Would you consider learning the Latin Mass? If not, why not?
- What is your favourite film? Also, who is your favourite composer and/or band of all time?
- Many Catholics feel that the shrinking of Catholic families is evidence that Humanae Vitae was not taught faithfully to the laity by Priests and Bishops and that the Church still suffers greatly in the 'contraceptive age'. This has led to a shortage of Priests as Catholic families shrunk and many gave up their faith. What could be done to encourage more Catholics to be open to life and to be generous to God and His Church?
- What steps could be taken to foster greater respect for the Holy Eucharist?
- To which Saint(s) do you have a particular devotion? Why? Do you pray to the Saint(s) regularly?
- In what ways could the impression of distance between Priests, Laity and their Bishops be overcome?
- Who is your favourite Bishop in the Church's rich history and why?
- Pope Benedict XVI has commented on the need for Priests and Bishops to see their vocations in terms of intimacy with and fidelity to Christ and His teachings. He stresses the need for Priests and Bishops to be men of deep prayer. Do you think there is too much over-burdensome administrative work in the role of the modern Bishop that hinders his relationship with Jesus? How could the Church help Bishops in this way?
- Is there one spiritual devotion that you would recommend to your flock? Why?
- Who is your favourite Catholic author?
- Studies have revealed that among Catholics, knowledge of the Catechism is very weak. Do you think that the Church in England and Wales places too much emphasis on social justice and not enough emphasis on catechising the Faithful and the teaching of the Faith? What could be done to re-educate the laity about the Faith?
- Do you have any pets? Did you name them after Saints?
- Do you think that Freemasonry within the Church is a problem? If so, why? If not, why not?
- What is your favourite quote of all time?
- Are you concerned by the way in which sex education is taught in Catholic schools? What, in your view, could be done at a Diocesan level, to protect children from today's overtly sexualised culture? How can we encourage children to respect marriage and the Church's teaching on chastity?
- What do you see as the greatest threat to the Catholic Faith over the next 25 years?
- How could the Laity support their Bishop more?
- What is your favourite site of Pilgrimage? Why?
- If you could be a Bishop all over again, is there anything that you would do differently?
- What, in your view, will bring men and women who have lapsed from the Faith back to the Faith in the United Kingdom?
Well, those are a few questions. What would you ask your Bishop?
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