Bishop Smith Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination

Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King
to mark 60th Anniversary of Bishop Smith’s Priestly Ordination
Thursday 9th March 2023

Homily by Fr Phil Gaffney

When every child is baptised, straight after the pouring of water, the child is anointed with the Chrism Oil. And in the words of the accompanying prayer, reference is made to Christ as Prophet, Priest and King. This, I think we can say, it the child’s first introduction to his or her new reality as sharing in Christ’s life as Prophet, Priest and King. Although the child will be entirely unaware of the significance of these words (and maybe the parents too), this simple and fundamental phrase captures the essence of the Christian life in baptism. We share in Christ through the life of the Church as Prophet, Priest and King.

But it is perhaps when a priest is ordained a Bishop that these words from his Baptism now carry the greatest significance of all. For here in these words – Prophet, Priest and King – the Church gives us the very definition of the Office of Bishop. These are his duties and responsibilities; this is his job description. The Bishop is the Prophet in this role as teacher of the faith. The Bishop is the Priest in his role of sanctifying, making holy the People of God in his diocese. And the Bishop is the Shepherd King, following the example of Christ himself, in the pastoral care of his people.

As we mark today the 60th anniversary of Bishop Smith’s priestly ordination, I would like for a moment to reflect upon and give thanks to God for how Bishop Smith has fulfilled this three-fold role in this Diocese of Meath.

As Prophet, Bishop Smith has been loyal and unswerving in holding on to the doctrine of the faith and in handing on the Church’s teaching through successive generations. How often he has spoken at this very ambo during countless Chrism Masses of the role as given to us from the letter of St Peter to “confirm the brethren in the faith”.

Bishop Smith continued and built on the good work begun by his predecessor Bishop McCormack in promoting the catechesis of the children through the schools in the diocese and it is thanks in no small part to him that we are fortunate to have an invaluable network of Catholic primary and post primary schools in the diocese.

Likewise, as teacher and prophet, he has drawn always on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council as the authentic understanding of the faith and, in this regard, his recent publication being a timely and fitting contribution to this work. One can only believe in Providence than it is no mere coincidence that precisely seven months after the Bishop’s ordination to the priesthood on this day 60 years ago Pope Saint John XXIII solemnly opened the first session of the Second Vatican Council and Bishop Smith was there at every moment as the Council took place in Rome.

Secondly, in his episcopal role as Priest, responsible for the sanctification of the people, we recognise his role in safeguarding the Sacraments and in the orderly celebration of the liturgy. Being a modest man, Bishop Smith will be shy about us recognising this but he is a man of deep, personal prayer and it radiates and shines through every time he celebrates the Mass whether here in the Cathedral or in the smallest country church or convent chapel. There are few living Bishops in this country who have ordained more men to the priesthood than Bishop Smith. His fruitful efforts to promote vocations and his promotion of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration testify to his understanding of the centrality of the priesthood and the fundamental call of every baptised person to answer the call and to grow in holiness.

Thirdly, as Shepherd, Bishop Smith devoted his whole life to the pastoral care of the diocese of Meath, a responsibility which began when he served first as secretary to his predecessor and a task to which he gave 100%. Bishop Smith has been a caring and a careful pastor. We have seen it here at first hand in our own parish. He has been with us all the years and it has been a joy and honour for us that he is able to retire in the parish where he has made his home among us. Bishop Smith is known to more people and families in this parish than any of us can ever equal. From his first days as a young priest chaplain in St Loman’s, his priesthood has always been one of tireless dedication to the service of people in his care. At virtually every Confirmation ceremony, he referred to the innate God-given dignity of every human person. Understanding that human dignity is at the heart of every pastoral deed. And at these same Confirmations, he urged parents to walk with their children and never give up on them. “Walk with them” he’d say as each Confirmation drew to a close.

Bishop Smith, you have walked with us as priest and Bishop and for this we could not be more grateful. You have walked with us and been by our side. We have been blessed by your ministry and I hope you can say that your ministry has blessed you too. You have “modelled your life on the mystery of Christ’s cross” to use the phrase from the Rite of Priestly Ordination which you always highlighted when any one of us was ordained. The cross is the place where we see Christ fully revealed to us as Prophet, Priest and Shepherd King. May Christ’s cross continue to shine forth in your priesthood and may it be your constant hope. The cross is Christ’s victory. May the cross continue to be your signpost and your hope.