Msgr. Augustine reflects on service as administrator

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 2, 2006

For almost two years, Msgr. Roger Augustine had the unique opportunity to serve as the administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City. The Diocesan College of Consultors elected him to that position on March 30, 2004.

In accord with Canon Law, the College of Consultors - the bishop's consultative body - was charged with the task of electing a new administrator within eight days of March 26 in the year 2004. That is the date that Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, the former bishop of Sioux City, officially took canonical possession of his new office as the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Since that time, Galveston-Houston was named an archdiocese.

"When I was elected by the consultors, it was definitely very humbling to know that I was chosen by my brother priests to be administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City," said Msgr. Augustine.

He remembers that he had wondered about how long it would take for the diocese to be appointed a new bishop.

"Based on my knowledge of when dioceses were vacant, I thought it would be within a year. I never dreamt that it would be almost two years," he acknowledged.

While he knew the position would have its challenges, the veteran priest never felt it would be an impossible task as he had served in the chancery as vicar general and chancellor.He mentioned that he very much appreciated the help and guidance that he had received from the bishop, particularly from Bishop DiNardo.

That past work experience had given him a good working knowledge of the diocese.

"I knew what was on the shelves, but now I could find the dust that was underneath the shelves," he joked, and was quick to add, "Not that I was looking for that at all."

Serving as the diocesan administrator, brought both challenges and blessings to Msgr. Augustine.

"I was aware of the fact that the people of the diocese had in their prayers not only a desire for a new bishop to be named, but I was told many times how the people of the diocese were praying for me as the administrator," he said. "We need to support one another and there is no greater support that we can give one another than prayer."

He had experienced that as a parish priest, but not on a diocesan level. The diocesan administrator, in turn, prayed for the people of the diocese.

Msgr. Augustine, in his role as the leader of the diocese, had the opportunity to attend various religious celebrations like parish centennials and special dedications such as the blessing of statues and memorials.

As the leader of the diocese, he sat on numerous boards such as the Board of Directors at Briar Cliff University. He also met and conferred with the Iowa bishops in Des Moines at the Iowa Catholic Conference.

"Through the meetings that we would have twice a year, I was able to work with people in the Iowa Catholic Conference. I had great support from Archbishop Hanus, Bishop Franklin and Bishop Charron. They were very considerate of me, very helpful to me. I was appreciative of them and they have become good friends of mine," said Msgr. Augustine.

During the two-year bishop that Msgr. Augustine shepherded the diocese, the ad limina visit to the Vatican took place. He was able to meet one-to-one with the late Holy Father.

"That was one of the greatest blessings that I had," said Msgr. Augustine.

He pointed out that along with meeting and visiting with Pope John Paul II, he also met with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict XVI - who at the time was head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Catholic Faith.

"Another blessing, I really enjoyed going to the various parishes to administer and celebrate confirmations. I was very, very impressed by our young people - their knowledge of the faith," said Msgr. Augustine. "On many occasions I was confirming young men and women, whom I as a pastor had baptized them. On several occasions I was able to confirm my great nieces and nephews."

One of the challenges in serving as the diocesan administrator, he noted, was the fact that he was not the bishop.

There were certain things he was not allowed to do. For instance when there were two ordinations to the priesthood, the diocese had to ask an area bishop to serve as the ordaining prelate. Twice, Archbishop Jerome Hanus had to come to the Diocese of Sioux City for the Chrism Mass, to bless the sacred oils.

While an administrator enjoys many of the same powers as the residential bishop, he recognized that "a diocesan administrator's powers are limited. They are limited according to the regulations and rules of the Code of Canon Law," explained Msgr. Augustine.

Certain projects had to be put aside because "there were to be no innovations, he said. A diocesan administrator "may not make any decisions or undertake any initiatives which would prejudice his successor."

"When one is not a bishop of the diocese, you recognize the fact that to your brother priests, you are a brother priest," said Msgr. Augustine, who added that he found the priests to be respectful and accepting of his work as administrator.

The former administrator pointed out that the messages that he had to send out to the diocesan parishioners by way of letters at times like Christmas and Easter and in celebration of special events such as Catholic Schools Week and Respect Life Month were a challenge.

"I hopefully brought a message to the people of the diocese to encourage them, to celebrate those feasts and events of the church, to be able to help them on their faith journey as we walk each day with God," he said.

At the time of the election, Msgr. Augustine was 71, already at retirement age. While priests of the diocese can retire at the age of 70. That was never his plan.

So what are his plans for now?

Bishop R. Walker Nickless reappointed Msgr. Augustine vicar general. This is a responsibility he is quite familiar with, having served as vicar general from 1984 to 2004.

Msgr. Augustine will continue to serve the diocese through assisting Bishop Nickless and helping priests in the parishes.

"In serving these almost two years as administrator, I became more aware of the many things that the bishop is expected to do," he said. "Many miles were put on the car."

Msgr. Augustine, 73, said he was grateful to God for allowing his health to stay well.

"I recognize the fact, even more than before, that prayer is important in my life. Each day I needed to prayerfully reflect on what was expected of me to do this job as well as to continue to grow personally on my own faith journey," he said.