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Bishop installs new judicial vicar
By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
December 6, 2007
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted installed Fr. Christopher Fraser as the Phoenix Diocese’s new judicial vicar during a Dec. 14 Mass at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
During the Mass, Fr. Fraser swore an oath of fidelity to uphold the Church’s laws and teaching.
“The one thing that’s really important about the role of the judicial vicar is that — as with any vicar — he really works closely with the bishop, carrying out the bishop’s vision in judicial affairs,” Fr. Fraser said of his new role.
Ordained a priest in 2001, Fr. Fraser received his Licentiate of Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in 2006. He has served as adjutant judicial vicar for the diocese since February 2007.
Fr. Fraser said his duties include anything affected by canon law in the diocese, but they will mostly entail judging marriage cases, especially marriage nullity.
At the same time, he hopes to educate Catholics about the pastoral nature of canon law.
“It is something more than just rules,” Fr. Fraser said. “Its pastoral role is actually a great help to people.”
During his homily at the installation Mass, the bishop echoed Fr. Fraser’s view of canon law.
“The law of the Lord is a great gift,” he said. “As a judicial vicar, Fr. Chris serves Christ and others in Christ.”
Fr. Fraser succeeds Fr. Tim Davern as judicial vicar, who took on a new role as parochial vicar at St. Anne’s Parish in Gilbert.
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