The weekly podcast Upfront with the Archbishop features host Jenny Connelly and Archbishop of Edmonton Richard Smith as they seek to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of the Catholic faith.

Recently, the pair sat down with St. Paul Bishop-elect Gary Franken for a discussion about his ordination to bishop, his journey thus far, and challenges on the road ahead. Archbishop Smith also shared some insights from his own experiences. Here are some highlights.


On preparing to be a bishop 

Bishop-elect Franken: “Being a parish priest … [is the] the best prep for being a bishop. The best place to hang your heart. The day-to-day life, worship, evangelizing … [it] keeps my feet on the ground and my heart alive. Being a parish priest has been good for me and a great privilege.”


On how being a vicar general helped prepare him for bishop

Bishop-elect Franken: “I was vicar general [for about six years] plus a pastor of a small parish. The position of vicar general is a sort of bishop-replacement, helper, assistant … someone to support and assist. [It was a] neat experience, with Archbishop Michael Miller … While not officially a mentorship it definitely brings you into the experience of what a bishop would face.” 


On “bishop school” and what it is

Archbishop Smith: “Bishop school is more of a conference. [It’s] held in Rome in Sept each year [and] features a series of talks from Vatican officials providing a general introduction to the life of being a bishop. It … .allows for the meeting of other [soon-to-be ordained] bishops and [helps] develop a fraternity with other men on the same path.”


On facing a new chapter in clerical life … 

Bishop-elect Franken: “It’s very new. I’m not overly intimidated … [even though] this will be big and different. What [really] hits me is the term “successor of the apostles” … the title is so large, and important. It’s so big … [I thought]..God, what are you getting me into?”


On what you need to truly “fit in” in Alberta

Archbishop Smith: “[You have to have] a truck.”

Bishop-elect Franken: “ … I have a truck..[and] by God’s providence, it [also] has heated seats and a heated steering wheel.”


On keeping the role of ‘bishop” from overwhelming him 

Bishop-elect Franken: “Archbishop Miller always [tries to say] “yes” to every invitation for whatever [event] is happening. He {really tries] to have a calendar that allows for that [instead of] getting buried. I think that’s the best way.”


 On priestly formation, structure and how it happens

Archbishop Smith: [There has to be] fundamental coherence … [a] consistency across all seminaries … ratio priestly formation. Universal expectations and guidelines. Every country must look at it and see how their slight cultural adaptations [they might bring] to it … [but the] fundamental areas must be universal and united. A seminary will develop a personal host culture based on who is there. The people provide the culture, sense of life.”


On today’s culture and Christianity’s place in it

Bishop-elect Franken: “[A story I was told … ]..you are in a boat on a river and you stop paddling, [and] that’s fine [because] as long as the river is a culture that goes with the faith you are okay, but if the river is not a culture that goes with the faith you have to choose to make a paddle-stroke against that culture [just] to maintain your position. Being a Christian [has become] an intentional reality today. The river is not necessarily Christian. If you don’t paddle you are likely to get pulled away. The culture has changed today … [and we] are not able to take it for granted [as] in the past.”


On where God exists to the average person today … 

Archbishop Smith: “God, church and faith is less and less on people’s radar. It is now the priest that is first encountered [instead of] the other way around. The priest is now the first point of contact for many instead of the [Christian] culture bringing people in. {As a result] seminarians are being formed this way today.”


On the ease or difficulty of academic instruction in the seminary

Archbishop Smith: “[I think it should be] more rigorous. You want to get out and serve, [to] be in the trenches with the people. Our culture today faces so many and varied complex questions. The church has a beautiful, rich, deep philosophical theological tradition rooted ultimately in God’s own revelation … .[in] … Jesus Christ we have the analysis of what’s going on in our lives and the remedy. [We need] … to be able to articulate that in any age in a way that is going to be intelligible [so people can find]  … the reason for real hope in their lives. We must … be equipped to announce the gospel in our world.”


On how to know if you have a calling to the priesthood or not

Bishop-elect Franken: [It is like] marriage, you might think you are destined … but the other [person] might not [feel the same]. [Holy life] is very much like that. It is a mutual thing, not one way. Always discern the spirit. Don’t automatically trust yourself.”

PLEASE FIND the full podcast at www.caedm.ca/upfront and listen today!

NOTE: quotes have been paraphrased for print, refer to podcast for exact text.

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