Siffrin settles into job as administrator

His background as vicar general provided valuable training for the duties of diocesan administrator.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin performs most of the pastoral and administrative duties of a bishop in his role as diocesan administrator in the Diocese of Youngstown.
"I was the right hand of the bishop," Monsignor Siffrin said of his former position as vicar general under Bishop Thomas Tobin.
Since the vicar general can act in the bishop's place, it served as valuable training. "In that sense, I was well-prepared to know the demands of the administration of the diocese," Monsignor Siffrin said.
Monsignor Siffrin, 52, garnered a wealth of experience during nine years working with Bishop Tobin, who was installed May 31 as the head of the Diocese of Providence, R.I. Monsignor Siffrin was named diocesan administrator June 2. He'll be in that role until a new bishop is named, which could be more than a year from now.
In handling new yet familiar responsibilities, Monsignor Siffrin said, "I'm praying a lot. People have been gracious and cooperative. I have an advantage ... having worked with the central office staff. It's easy for me to go to people and ask for help. I know them."
As for someone else who has accepted a new level of leadership, Monsignor Siffrin said he considers Pope Benedict XVI "a good, holy and intelligent man."
Duties in diocese
Monsignor Siffrin visited Rome last November to mark his 25th year as a priest. "I would love to go and see the Holy Father," he said; he had met Pope John Paul II.
Travel plans will be on hold while Monsignor Siffrin attends to the diocese. His daily schedule varies: "[Duties] are somewhat dependent on needs of the office and the diocese. As a priest ... morning Mass. As administrator of the diocese ... time in the office to work with staff. Diocesan staff provide a number of services internally to the church administration but also to the priests and pastors, schools. ... overseeing that all that work is important.
"As administrator, I also visit parishes, celebrate confirmations and participate in anniversaries and significant events of the parish," Monsignor Siffrin said. He will officiate at some 30 confirmations from September through June.
His work as diocesan administrator has enabled him to become even more familiar with people and the 116 parishes in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull counties of the diocese. "It's been a pleasure to come to know these parishes," he said.
He has learned even more about demographics. Some parishes are smaller and older while others are growing rapidly. "But the overall population is stable," he said of the 240,000 Catholics in the diocese.
He pointed out that large parishes of St. Christine and St. Charles each count about 3,000 households and 10,000 members but a small church may have 60 families. "We have a wonderful diversity," he said. The challenge to priests of rural parishes is covering the mileage to meet the needs of members.
New bishop
But receiving word of a new bishop remains on the minds of many Catholics in the Diocese of Youngstown.
"Theoretically, any priest could be selected. The requirements spelled out generally are a man of good reputation, at least 35 years of age, have experience in pastoral care and administration," Monsignor Siffrin said.
"In times past, some of the dioceses in Ohio had priests who became their bishop. But in more recent years, the practice seems to be to bring experience from other parts of the United States ... to bring enrichment to the church."
Monsignor Siffrin, who attended a fall meeting of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, said he inquired about the time frame for choosing a new bishop. The United States has five bishop positions vacant.
"In talking to staff and people from other dioceses, it seems to be anywhere from 10 months to two years [to name a replacement]. That's the only reference," he said. A bishop recently was assigned to Sioux City, Iowa, which has been without a bishop since January 2004.
Capital campaign
Monsignor Siffrin also said he has spoken with Bishop Tobin since his departure. "He has come to know the people and priests in Providence. He has the same concern for people here," Monsignor Siffrin said. "He appreciates knowing how people are doing here. He wanted to know how the capital campaign project is coming along. He started it several years ago and it's coming to an end now."
The goal of the capital campaign, "Today's Sacrifice, Tomorrow's Church," was $34 million and $31 million has been pledged. The active pledging will conclude in January.
"The notion of a development fund or foundation started 20 years ago under Bishop Malone," Monsignor Siffrin said. Various factors were studied and as more needs began to surface, the bishop recognized the need for such a campaign.
"A formal study was done and looked at life in the diocese. It was a win-win situation for our diocese and our parishes," Monsignor Siffrin said. "A portion of the money stays in the parish and the other goes to the diocese. It's a 60-40 split."
How the money is used in each parish is determined on an individual basis. The diocese has earmarked funds for cathedral repair, seminary education, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, some development of Our Lady of the Woods pastoral center and training and development of people in the ministry of the church.
Limitations
A project like the capital campaign is something that Monsignor Siffrin would not initiate. "I would do things for the general welfare and good ordering of the church ... as part of regular administration. But I wouldn't change any practice or initiate anything brand new because the Code of Canon Law prohibits me from any innovations," he said.
He explained that would be considered "changing direction of the diocese" and thus "placing demands on the new bishop." But, should a crisis or problem occur, Monsignor Siffrin would be responsible for resolving it.
As an example, he noted the expansion at Blessed Sacrament, part of Notre Dame school system in Warren, which was approved in principle by Bishop Tobin. "I would not have been able to start that," he said. But, Monsignor Siffrin implemented the construction process.
There also are limitations in the religious vein. "I can't do ordinations or the Chrism Mass as a bishop would because that is part of the nature of being ordained a bishop," he said. The Mass of Chrism, he explained, is celebrated Holy Thursday and oils are blessed for sacraments. Monsignor Siffrin said retired Bishop Benedict C. Franzetta would be asked to perform that duty.
Monsignor Siffrin has attended two meetings of U.S. Catholic Bishops. He was in Chicago in June and Washington, D.C., in November. "It helps administrators keep current on issues," he said.
Priest shortage
One of the topics discussed was the shortage of priests. "At the diocesan and national levels, there is lot of effort and study to promote priestly and religious vocations," Monsignor Siffrin said. Another concern was support and resources for parish priests who may be juggling responsibilities of more than one parish and encouraging the laity to lend more help to parish priests.
Monsignor Siffrin knows firsthand the duties at a parish since he also is administrator at St. Edward Church. The Christmas season brings more activity to his schedule. "These are joyful but busy days for all pastors," he said.
He sees the current Advent season as a time of "prayerfully reflecting on living out the life of a Christian ... focusing our attention on the Lord and renewing relationship. And it's also marked by waiting ... our hearts and minds are awaiting a new bishop."
His Christmas message is: "Wishing God's blessing on the people of our diocese and Youngstown and hoping we are filled with the Lord's peace and His promise of guidance and protection."