Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez announced April 7 the appointment of Father Eric J. Banecker as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, effective June 15.
As he begins his new role, Father Banecker recently spoke with CatholicPhilly about missionary discipleship, signs of hope in the Church of Philadelphia, and a few personal interests, including his favorite Philadelphia sports team.
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Q: What excites you the most about your new role in service to the Church of Philadelphia, and what challenges do you anticipate?
A: What excites me is that the Church is alive! That has always been the case, even in the worst moments, but in the last few years our local Church has seen a renaissance in so many aspects of ecclesial life. The Holy Spirit is clearly at work here and in so many other places where it was thought the faith was dying out, especially among young people. The challenge is always keeping our eyes fixed on that growth and fostering it, while also making sure those who have come before – as well as the suffering – are cared for and loved.
Q: Many Catholics might not know what a Moderator of the Curia does. How would you explain the role in basic terms?
A: Well, when I find out I’ll let you know! Basically, the Moderator of the Curia serves as nexus point in coordinating the work of the various administrative and pastoral offices of the local church. Like a pastor in a parish, this leadership is both spiritual and temporal, which helps the Archbishop in his pastoral governance of the Archdiocese.
Q: Archbishop Pérez has worked to instill a culture of missionary discipleship into the Church of Philadelphia. What does missionary discipleship mean to you and how will you help develop that culture?
A: Archbishop Pérez has made missionary discipleship a central theme of his ministry here in Philadelphia, and rightly so, because it is simply a concise term to describe the essence of what the Church has been all about from the Upper Room to this moment. Missionary Discipleship is the response of one who has accepted the Gospel call to conversion and holiness, rejoices in that work of grace, and burns to proclaim that same word of salvation to others. Pastors and priests out in our parishes and schools are called to promote this culture each day through their preaching and the witness of their lives. I see my role as supporting them in that work and doing it myself among the staff of the pastoral center and others with whom I will interact in this work.
Q: You served in parish ministry for much of your priesthood. How will your experiences in Broomall, West Philadelphia, and Media shape your work in the Curia?
A: A diocesan priest should always be a parish priest at heart. Even if the needs of the Church place us somewhere different, our first love should always be living and serving the People of God and giving them the greatest gift, the gift which none of us can give on our own: Christ himself. Whether it is celebrating the Eucharist with the gathered assembly, pronouncing absolution for sins with the “I” of Christ himself, preparing couples for marriage, walking with families in grief, ministering to the dying, teaching catechism to those becoming Catholic and our young parishioners – all of this is life-giving, and I carry all of it with me in this new role. These experiences give me an understanding of what our central administration can do to help our priests and all the faithful.
Q: What are some signs of hope you see in the Church of Philadelphia right now? What will they mean for the future of the archdiocese?
A: We have missionaries deployed in hubs inviting people into a relationship with the risen Savior of the world. We have generous laity willing to support that work financially. We have Christ in the City working among the poor on the streets of Philadelphia. There is FOCUS, Young Catholic Professionals, SENT, the Culture Project. There are pipelines of vocations forming in some of our parishes, Newman Centers, and high schools. There is hope everywhere if we’re willing to look! The priests of the Archdiocese recently gathered for a few days of prayer, discernment, and fraternity in Hershey – and I think there was a buzz among the priests that while things are far from perfect, there is excitement for what is happening and what is still to come.
Q: Do you have an affinity for a patron saint or a particular prayer that guides your work?
A: This prayer of Saint John Henry Newman has inspired me many times in my life:
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.
Q: What aspect of your priestly ministry has brought you the greatest joy?
A: Walking with families in their joys and struggles of living the Catholic faith in their homes and in the parish.
Q: Do you follow Philadelphia sports?
A: I do! Media has a lot of Philly sports people living there, so that has been kind of fun.
Q: What hobbies or interests do you enjoy?
A: Traveling, hiking, writing, music, reading, and truly terrible golf.
Q: What books are you currently reading, or shows you are watching?
A: In addition to the Pope’s Encyclical on Catholic Social Teaching and A.I., I’m reading two books: Our Lady and the Church by Hugo Rahner and The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson.
Quick questions
Coffee or tea? Coffee, but tea sometimes. I’m trying to cut back on caffeine, but sometimes it just needs to happen!
Early bird or night owl? Being a priest is a tough job if you don’t like waking up early
Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, or Sixers? All four, but Phillies #1 for sure.
Favorite season? Autumn
Favorite saint? Saint Joseph
Favorite pilgrimage or church you’ve visited? The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
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