(Promulgated 12/08/2011;
last revised 07/07/2020)
We, the Diocese of Austin, through
the Word and Eucharist, prayer, formation, education, social ministries and
advocacy, embrace diverse cultures throughout the diocese; so together, as the
Catholic Church, we may continue the mission of Christ in the world today.
The diocesan coat of arms
represents the 25 counties that made up the Diocese of Austin at its creation.
The diocese extends north to south from West to San Marcos and east to west
from Bryan/College Station to Mason. The coat of arms was designed by Bishop
Louis J. Reicher at the time the diocese was established in 1947.
The custom of having a coat of
arms goes back to medieval times when rulers, officials, large land owners,
etc., would have the shields of their soldiers emblazoned with a design symbolizing
the family. Since the diocese and its see city take the name of Stephen F.
Austin, Bishop Reicher chose to utilize part of the Austin family coat of arms.
This consisted of a horizontal bar charged with three crosses between one
chevronel line above and another at the base.
He altered the coloring, however,
utilizing the colors symbolic of the Blessed Virgin Mary, white and blue, in
view of the fact that the cathedral of the diocese is dedicated to her. These
are also the principal colors of the state seal of Texas.
The star above has a double
significance. It symbolizes both the Lone Star of Texas and our Blessed Lady
under the title Stella Maris, “Star of the Sea.”
The rose on the lower chevronel
reminds us of the shield of the Galveston Diocese, from which most of the
Austin Diocese was taken in 1947. This rose, copied from the field of the
mother diocese of the state, symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title
of Rosa Mystica, “Mystical Rose” and is a symbol of new birth as it was in the
beginning of the church.
The wavy lines symbolize the
Colorado River, which passes through the center of the diocese, and the golden
heart symbolizes St. Augustine (Austin) of Hippo. The transfixed arrows, one
descending and one ascending, represent St. Austin’s love for God and God’s
love for St. Austin as a great doctor of the Church.
A. Bishop
1. The diocesan Bishop, as successor to the apostles, is the teacher of
doctrine, the priest of sacred worship, and the minister of governance in the
diocese entrusted to his care. The Bishop exercises his role as pastor in the
diocese in hierarchical communion with the Supreme Pontiff, the Bishop of Rome.
2. As teacher of doctrine, the Bishop teaches and illustrates the truths
of faith that are to be believed and applied to life.
3. The Bishop is attentive to all Christ’s faithful entrusted to his
care. He has a special concern for the priests who are his helpers and
counselors in ministry. The diocesan Bishop seeks to promote the holiness of
Christ’s faithful according to the vocation of each. Since he is the principal
dispenser of the mysteries of God, he assists those in his care to grow in
grace through the celebration of the sacraments and through living the paschal
mystery.
4. The Bishop governs the particular Church entrusted to him with
legislative, executive, and judicial power in accordance with the law. He
ensures that abuses do not creep into ecclesiastical discipline, especially
concerning the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and
sacramentals, the worship of God and the cult of the saints, and the
administration of goods.
5. In all juridical transactions of the diocese the diocesan Bishop acts
in the person of the diocese.
1. The vicar general is appointed by the diocesan Bishop.
2. He assists the Bishop in the governance of the whole diocese.
a. In virtue of his office, the vicar general has the same executive
power throughout the whole diocese as that which belongs by law to the diocesan
Bishop. That is, he can perform all administrative acts, with the exception of
those which the Bishop has reserved to himself or which by law require a
special mandate of the Bishop.
1. The chancellor is appointed by the Bishop.
2. He works as the executive office of the diocesan Bishop.
3. His principal responsibility is to be the notary of the Bishop and to
ensure that the acts of the diocese are kept safe in the archive of the
diocese.
The Moderator of the Curia
coordinates the exercise of administrative responsibilities and sees that the
other members of the Curia duly fulfill the office entrusted to them.
1. The Moderator of the Curia works closely with the director of Human
Resources.
1. The vicar for religious is appointed by the Bishop to serve as his
liaison to members of religious orders and congregations serving within the
diocese.
a. The vicar for religious promotes communication between the Bishop and
men and women religious.
2. The vicar for religious is assisted by associate vicars.
The dean is the
priest who is placed in charge of a deanery (vicariate forane).
1. The dean is appointed by the Bishop after consultation with the
priests who are exercising the ministry in the deanery.
2. He represents the Bishop to the priests and others of his deanery.
3. The dean makes a formal visit to each parish in his deanery every
three years and submits a written report to the Bishop.
4. When tensions or difficulties arise in parishes within the deanery,
the dean, based on the principal of subsidiary, is to assist the pastor and
parish in handling the matter at that level before it is referred to the
diocesan offices.
5. The dean encourages the clergy in his deanery to attend the events
sponsored by the diocese, especially the programs promoted by the Priestly Life
and Formation Committee.
6. He seeks to offer spiritual assistance to the priests of his deanery,
particularly to those who are in difficult circumstances or are troubled by
problems.
7. In the case of illness of a priest, the dean is to advise the Bishop and
seek to do his part in offering assistance.
The financial
officer, under the authority of the Bishop, administers the goods of the
diocese in accordance with the plan of the Finance Council.
1. The financial officer gives the Bishop and the Finance Council
quarterly financial reports.
2. The financial officer is in charge of salaries and benefits for the diocesan
employees and coordinates and administers the diocesan building and health
insurance plans.
3. The financial officer works closely with the Office of Facilities
Planning, the Office of Stewardship and Development, and the director of Human
Resources.
The Bishop
appoints a judicial vicar, or “officialis,” for the promotion of justice
regarding matters within the diocese.
1. The judicial vicar serves as an extension of the Bishop’s judicial
ministry in the diocese.
2. He constitutes one tribunal with the Bishop but cannot judge cases
which the Bishop reserves to himself.
3. In particular, the judicial vicar acts as a resource to the Bishop on
canonical matters, studies requests for annulments, and serves as a consultant
for priests, deacons, religious, and laity in canonical policies relating to
marriage.
1. The Presbyteral Council assists and advises the Bishop in the
governance of the diocese, on behalf of the local presbyterate, on the pastoral
welfare of the people of God.
a. The council has a consultative vote.
b. The diocesan Bishop consults the council in matters of more serious
moment.
c. The council of priests can never act without the diocesan Bishop.
2. When the See is vacant, the Presbyteral Council ceases and its
functions are fulfilled by the College of Consultors.
a. The new Bishop must reconstitute the Presbyteral Council within a year
of taking possession of the diocese.
The Bishop presides over a
smaller number of priests from the Presbyteral Council known as the consultors.
The consultors advise in the more practical and ordinary administration of the
diocese according to the norms set by Canon Law or when deemed necessary by the
Bishop.
1. Each diocese is required by Canon Law to have a Finance Council. It is
an advisory council presided over by the Bishop.
2. The Finance Council is appointed by the Bishop and is composed of
experts in financial affairs and civil law.
3. It is the responsibility of the Finance Council to approve an annual
budget for the governance of the diocese, in accordance with the direction of
the Bishop.
4. It is also the responsibility of the Finance Council to account for
income and expenditures at the end of the year.
The Priest
Personnel Committee advises the Bishop on matters pertaining to the assignment
of priests within the diocesan structure or when a priest is being considered
for extra-diocesan assignments.
The Building
Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Bishop in matters relating to
the building projects of the diocese.
1. The Building Commission oversees all building, planning, and
maintenance issues of the diocese and its parishes.
2. The Building Commission reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations
on the construction or remodeling of buildings within the diocese according to
established diocesan criteria.
3. The Building Commission assists the parishes and institutions of the
diocese in their building plans to meet liturgical, educational, and social
needs.
Policy on Compliance with Ethics and Integrity in Ministry
(Effective 01/01/2002; last
revised 09/18/2018)
On January 1, 2002, in order to
safeguard the children and vulnerable adults whom we serve, the Diocese of
Austin promulgated Policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry for all
clergy (which includes priests and deacons), seminarians or deacon aspirants or
candidates, religious brothers and sisters, employees (of parishes, Catholic
schools, or other diocesan agencies), and others involved in ministry to
minors, elderly adults, or adults with disabilities.
Please refer to the current
policies and additional information available on our Ethics and Integrity in
Ministry webpage here.
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