New term for College of Consultors set to begin

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
The new term for the Archdiocese of Mobile’s College of Consultors begins Nov. 12 and if there’s a major decision to be made, those on the College of Consultors will have their voices heard.
Dioceses worldwide all have a College of Consultors as required by Canon Law and it serves as a bishop’s advisory board regarding major decisions. Terms are for five years and it consists of between six and 12 priests. The Archdiocese of Mobile’s College of Consultors includes eight priests who advise Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi.
“I would say the College of Consultors is more like his Cabinet in terms of his advisers,” said Canon lawyer Fr. Dan Good, J.C.L. 
Members of the upcoming College of Consultors appointed by Archbishop Rodi are Msgr. William Skoneki, V.G., Msgr. Michael Farmer, Msgr. James Kee, J.V., Rev. James Cink, Very Rev. Alejandro Valladares, Rev. Steven Williams, Rev. Christopher Boutin and Very Rev. Paul Zoghby, V.F.
All eight members of the College of Consultors are also members of the 18-priest Presbyteral Council, which advises Archbishop Rodi on pastoral matters. 
But the College of Consultors’ advice, and sometimes even consent, is needed for the most serious executive acts.“Things that are beyond normal governance and administration,” Fr. Good said. “There are times when a bishop cannot act without the consent of the College of Consultors.”
Also among the College of Consultors’ duties is to elect a diocesan administrator within eight days of receiving notice of the vacancy. 
The College of Consultors and Presbyteral Council are two of several advisory boards which advise Archbishop Rodi. Archbishop Rodi also seeks advice from a Finance Council composed of six laypeople and two priests, a Priest Personnel Committee which advise on parish assignments of priests and an Administrative Council which comprises the seven heads of archdiocesan departments.
“I think sometimes we think the (archbishop) makes decisions by himself. The reality is he doesn’t,” Fr. Good said. “The bishop is never on an island with making a decision.”
According to Fr. Good, Archbishop Rodi desires that those who advise him express their true feelings about a possible decision.
“Frankly having worked with him, Archbishop Rodi wants to hear peoples’ real opinions,” Fr. Good said. 
“When he presents a case or the Vicar General presents a case, he hears them and they give their opinion. It’s a free moment. There’s no expected answer for them. He really wants to hear them. That’s very important. I think a lot of times people think bishops make decisions sitting in a citadel of certitude. They don’t. They make it with a lot of people surrounding them.”
There are especially plenty of people surrounding Archbishop Rodi on the Presbyteral Council. Some of the 18 priests are appointed by Archbishop Rodi and others are elected by fellow priests. 
The Presbyteral Council members includes priests of varying ages, representatives of various locales in the archdiocese, as well as various backgrounds. The Presbyteral Council is informed and advises just about all pastoral matters.
“There are a variety of personalities in there and that’s good,” Fr. Good said. “The Presbyteral Council advises him on a lot of different things. Almost everything he does he brings before the Presbyteral Council.”