Bishop appoints new priest leadership

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
December 7, 2006

Parishioners in need of spiritual or personal guidance can confide in their priest. Priests in search of similar support seek the vicar for priests.

For the first time in 10 years priests will find a new face in that role this January.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted recently selected Fr. Jim Wall, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, to serve as the new vicar for priests. He will replace Holy Cross Father Tom Zurcher, who will take a six-month sabbatical before returning to serve in his religious order’s Indiana province.

“It will be a real privilege to follow Fr. Zurcher because he has done an incredible job helping to foster unity amongst the priests the past 10 years,” Fr. Wall said.

Bishop Olmsted agreed, stating that his effort to build fraternity under three different bishops — retired Bishop Thomas J. O’Brien, Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan and now Bishop Olmsted — and through turbulent times was among Fr. Zurcher’s greatest accomplishments.

Bishop Olmsted called the job a special challenge because the Phoenix priests come from six different continents and a variety of cultures.

The vicar for priests is essentially a “priest for the priests,” Fr. Zurcher said. He sees the main tasks as coordinating priest personnel in the parishes and ongoing formation.

Formation includes programs for first-time pastors and the newly ordained, continuing education, retreats and social events.

Fr. Fred Adamson, vicar general of the diocese, said the formation program flourished under Fr. Zurcher’s leadership and is confident Fr. Wall will continue its success.

“He stirs up in men that call to serve the Church in such a way,” Fr. Adamson said.

Bishop Olmsted also noted Fr. Wall’s role in promoting vocations throughout his eight years as a priest.

Fr. Wall was ordained in 1998 and served as associate pastor at St. Theresa Parish for three years followed by St. Timothy in Mesa for one year. He served as pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle for the last four years.

Bishop Olmsted recognizes the sacrifice Fr. Wall is making in leaving his parish duties behind, but knows he does it willingly. Fr. Wall said it was a difficult decision, but discerned through prayer that God called him to the ministry of serving priests.

“He thinks with the mind of the Church, which is important,” Fr. Adamson said, noting Fr. Wall’s love for prayer and the liturgy in addition to his strong sense of priestly identity.

As the vicar for priests, Fr. Wall will find weekend help in the parishes and perform sacramental ministry when the local priest is unavailable.

He will also visit priests at church and at home to offer personal support. This ensures the priests remain intellectually, spiritually, physically and psychologically balanced.

“Fr. Wall brings to the position an obvious love for the priesthood and for pastoral ministry,” Bishop Olmsted said.

Fr. Wall said it is exciting to promote unity among priests with the bishop and intends to improve it.

“I want to focus on the fraternal bond of charity that presently exits in the presbyterate and work to strengthen it,” he said.