Seminarians past and present say Bishops Battersby, Fisher have made an impact

DETROIT — During the early days of his pontificate, Pope Francis instructed bishops they must be “shepherds who smell like the sheep.”

The call meant the Church’s leaders had to have deep, personal relationships with all members in the Church as ones who “stood in the trenches,” so to speak.

With the appointments of Bishops Robert J. Fisher and Gerard W. Battersby, the Archdiocese of Detroit gained two auxiliary bishops who are used to “smelling like the sheep” — in fact, they’ve been directly involved in helping the next generation of shepherds to do exactly that.

With Bishop Fisher having served as director of priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit in the late 1990s, and Bishop Battersby serving as vice rector and director of graduate seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, both new bishops are well-versed as mentors to the younger generation of priests and priests-to-be.

For the men who worked with the two in their roles, Bishop Battersby and Fisher’s selection as bishops is a validation of their work in forming others.

Because of his time in the seminary, Bishop Battersby is well aware of the “real current issues that are impressing on the culture and ministry,” said Msgr. Todd Lajiness, rector of Sacred Heart. “He’s developed skills in helping men, and priests, in continuing their formation. That’s a huge skill, a huge need, so men can continue their ongoing formation. He’s got good insights and he observes things very well, but I think his great attribute is his prayerful disposition.”

As vice rector, Bishop Battersby was tasked with evaluation the progress of seminarians in the formation, staying in contact with the soon-to-be priest on where they are in their journey, both academically and spiritually.

For his part, Bishop Fisher served the archdiocese as director of priestly vocations from 1995-2000, working out of the seminary conversing with men interested in becoming a priest.

Fr. James McNulty, pastor of St. Edith Parish in Livonia, entered in the seminary in 1997 when he was a 43-year-old working at a successful law firm. Waiting for a sudden “bolt of lightning” from God, his discussions with Bishop Fisher led him to believe that it all boiled down to a simple choice.

“I was older when I started the seminary, and I wanted to be sure I was called to the priesthood,” Fr. McNulty said. “I remember one of the meetings, Bishop Fisher said, ‘Jim, you’re not going to get struck by lightning, you’re going to have to make a decision.’ I was waiting for a sign, but I knew I had to make a decision. He said the right thing at the right time.”

Fr. McNulty had a few more conversations with Bishop Fisher before committing to the seminary, saying Bishop Fisher’s pastoral insight is what guided him to his decision.

“I was waiting for something, but he made me realize I wasn’t going to get that kind of sign,” Fr. McNulty said. “I think he has a good pastoral sense, which will serve him well as a bishop in relation to priests. He’s a good pastor, and that will be helpful, especially when you’re shepherding other pastors.”

For current Sacred Heart seminarians, the selection of Bishop Battersby didn’t come as a shock, either.

“I’m not surprised too much,” said Adam Nowak, a second-year theology seminarian from St. Cyprian Parish in Riverview. “A couple guys predicted it, but I think he’s the right man for the job. We really love him, and he helps us and pushes us to become better men for Christ and better prepared to be priests.”

First-year theology seminarian David Pellican of Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit was more surprised than some of his fellow seminarians, but said Bishop Battersby’s demeanor makes him the right pick.

“He’s a busy man, but he stops by when we have parties and hangs out with us,” Pellican said. “He’s very personable. He’s just down-to-earth. I love having him as our vice rector. He’s a great man and sets a great example for us, too.”

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For more stories about the ordination and background of the Archdiocese of Detroit's new auxiliary bishops, Bishop Robert Fisher and Bishop Gerard Battersby, check out The Michigan Catholic's special section.