Msgr. Augustine participates in ad limina visit to Rome, meets pope

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
December 9, 2004

Serving as the diocesan administrator while the Diocese of Sioux City awaits a new bishop can be a tough job at times, but it has its perks such as the chance for a little one-on-one time with the pope.

Msgr. Roger Augustine, diocesan administrator, took part in the ad limina visit to the Vatican Nov. 20-28 with 17 bishops from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Three of the bishops were retired, including Bishop Lawrence D. Soens of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"I never thought that I would be part of a report from an ad limina visit, but I certainly appreciate the opportunity to be able to do it," noted Msgr. Augustine. "The ad limina is something that bishops worldwide make every five years to the Vatican."

Given that bishops are successors of the apostles, Msgr. Augustine noted that the ad limina visit is a way to show the unity between the Holy Father, who heads the entire church, and the bishops. The bishops make these visits in groups; bishops from the United States are divided by the 13 regions of the country.

"The bishops make this visit to report on the state of the diocese that they are from. It is a time for celebrating the church, universal," said the diocesan administator.

The bishops and the diocesan administrator met with Pope John Paul II in a group and then had time with the Holy Father individually.

"It really was a privilege to spend six to 10 minutes with the Holy Father on a one-to-one. You are celebrating that time with the leader of the church of the worlds one billion Catholics," said Msgr. Augustine. "It is a significant opportunity for a bishop, which also was mine as the diocesan administrator, to share with the Holy Father what we believe is most significant for him to know about the people of the diocese."

The diocesan administrator told the Holy Father about how the teaching and the celebration of the church of Christ is being implemented in the parishes, the deaneries and diocese. He mentioned the fact that the diocese has an increasing number of Hispanic parishioners and the continued focus on religious education through Catholic schools and parish programs. Msgr. Augustine also spoke of continued efforts to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

"The Holy Father was very much concerned about how bishops need to be concerned for the welfare of their priests, treating them as sons and friends," said Msgr. Augustine, who had acknowledged that the only other time he had seen this pope fairly close was when he had come to Des Moines about 25 years ago.

All of the details of the diocese's activities since the last ad limina visit five years ago were sent in advance to the Vatican. That information was disseminated to various congregations such as the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Clergy, Congregation for Consecrated Life, Congregation on Liturgy and more.

"After reviewing the information, they have the opportunity to address any concerns they may have about the Midwest region or a diocese in particular," noted Msgr. Augustine. For instance, one of the topics addressed to all of the bishops was a decline in the number of priestly vocations.

Msgr. Augustine and the bishops spent a good portion of their time with numerous of these congregations.

He pointed out that ad limina apostolorum - which means to the threshold of the apostles - refers to the pilgrimages that bishops make to the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. The bishops of heads of dioceses are required to do that during an ad limina visit.

"We celebrated Mass at St. Peter's and St. Paul's as well as two other major basilicas, St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran," said Msgr. Augustine.

While the diocesan administrator experienced many firsts on this trip, Rome itself was not one of them. In fact, Msgr. Augustine studied at the North American College in Rome for four years and he was ordained there. It will be 35 years ago on Dec. 20.

"I was present there at the time of the death of Pope Pius XII and the election of Pope John XXIII. Going back to Rome was a homecoming of sorts," he said. In addition to studying there, he has made two other trips.

In Rome, Msgr. Augustine stayed at the North American College and was able to spend time with Msgr. Kevin McCoy, a native of the diocese who serves as rector at the college, as well as seminarians William Vit and Shane Deman. He was also able to meet with Jim Nicholson, a native of Struble, who is the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.