Priests of the Diocese of Columbus who have met with Bishop Earl Fernandes have strongly favorable first impressions of him and are eager to help him become familiar with the people of the diocese.
“I’m super-excited after having met him briefly and seen some of his YouTube videos,” said Father David Sizemore, pastor of Newark St. Francis de Sales Church. “He seems to be just what the diocese needs at this time.
“His gifts of passion, energy, education, evangelization, administrative experience and pastoral leadership make for a wonderful combination,” Father Sizemore said. “His talk in late April with the priests of the diocese and the videos, particularly one he did on exorcism, all show a real sense of engagement and of connecting with people.”
While studying in Rome several years ago, the new bishop received training in exorcism, which is an official form of prayer the Catholic Church uses against the power of the devil. Although it has been sensationalized in books and on film, Bishop Fernandes has described it as “part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God, so it’s a sacramental in the Church. It’s part of a ministry of healing.”
Bishop Fernandes’ appointment to succeed Bishop Robert Brennan as shepherd of the Columbus diocese was announced on April 2. His first opportunity to meet most of the diocese’s priests came on April 27 at an informal luncheon the priests had scheduled earlier at Reynoldsburg St. Pius X Church so they could talk about the diocese’s Real Presence Real Future initiative.
“That impressed me a great deal,” Father Sizemore said. “He didn’t have to be here, because he still was serving as pastor of a large church in suburban Cincinnati, but he made the trip. As we were all talking in small groups, he went around the room, introduced himself, took part in the conversations and listened attentively. You could tell how important it was for him to meet each of us and engage us.”
Msgr. Joseph Hendricks, pastor of Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church, said he has known Bishop Fernandes for about five years through his friendship with Msgr. Frank Lane, a retired priest of the Columbus diocese. Msgr. Lane lives in Cincinnati, where he and the bishop were part of the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West.
“Father Fernandes was always very cordial, very bright and very direct,” Msgr. Hendricks said. “And he really loves the priesthood. All these qualities shine through. He’s eager to be coming to this diocese and work with the people here, and, first of all, to be supportive and listen before he makes any major decisions.
“It’s a great asset that he’s worked with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s restructuring process. That will be a big help as he charts the course of this diocese through the Real Presence Real Future initiative.”
“Talking with Bishop Fernandes as he got ready for his ordination gave me a lot of comfort because I could tell he didn’t want to rush into things,” said Father Michael Hartge, moderator of the Curia for the diocese, who has played an active role in the initiative.
“He’s very thoughtful, very purposeful and wants to make sure he gets to know the diocese and its people before the next steps in Real Purpose Real Future are taken.
“This means the initiative may take longer, for no one, especially Bishop Brennan, expected he’d be called to serve elsewhere when he began plans for it last year. But it also means Bishop Fernandes wants to get it right and already is thinking of the diocese’s long-term future.
“He’s had to do a bit of a juggling act between running his parish and getting ready to come here, but he managed it well,” Father Hartge said. “He was attentive to both roles right to the end. When he wasn’t here, he was calling me or others in the diocesan offices every day.”
“Bishop Fernandes impresses me as a man of holiness, with a strong prayer life and great humility,” said Father Dan Dury, pastor of Sunbury St. John Neumann Church. “He will bring great enthusiasm for everything he does to the diocese, as well as a great sense of being its spiritual father.
“Most of the priests of the diocese – about 80 out of a little more than 100 – were at that meeting at St. Pius and seeing our bishop-elect being in the midst of everyone and mainly just listening had a great impact.
“I’ve heard Bishop Fernandes say he likes chicken wings and beer, so I’m looking forward to taking him to the Thurman Café in (Columbus’) German Village one day and giving him a chance to try one of their giant hamburgers.”