Letter to bishop to praise a minister?

[R_C]

Hello!

Suppose a given Catholic community - one that is in itself of major significance in a given diocese - has experienced an amazing growth ever since the new lay minister was assigned to oversee and direct it. This is a group affiliated to a parish, which had several priests during the years assigned to serve it, but only this one lay minister, who has the greater merit for the amazing growth of the group. The group is very orthodox and very united to the Church, and vocations have been fostered.

Now suppose the members of the group do not feel that the minister is getting the recognition he deserves, or perhaps is even subject to unfair criticism.

Would it be all-right if all active members of the group signed a letter to the bishop in which, plain and simply, they acknowledge the extraordinary labor and contributions of the minister and ask the bishop for his blessing?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[pnewton]

I think even if a bishop decides not to respond to such a letter, the gesture itself would be a touching one to a laboring priest. The only reason I can see it as inappropriate is if there is some other quasi-political agenda.

 

[ynotzap]

I think it is a very charitable gesture, and encouraging. I am also aware of the possible spiritual state of the person. A very humble person might find getting praise a danger, when he realizes that all praise belongs to God for making it possible for his success. He may not even want to be thanked, seeing it as service to his God given joyfully and willingly. He would find great satisfaction in that alone. Being human we need encouragment, and appreciation. There can also arise a spirit of jealousy on the part of those who didn’t do so well. It seems like a real spiritual test for all those involved. Do the charitable thing, that’s God’s will always, and let the chips fall where they may.