Our Auxiliary Bishops Columns
Our archdiocese is blessed with three auxiliary bishops–Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III, Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM; and Bishop John N. Tran–whose commentaries are featured here.
Our Auxiliary Bishops
“Is there room at the inn for the incarcerated?”
BY BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIEnglish | En Español
During Advent this year, the church will celebrate a Jubilee Year for Prisoners worldwide on Dec. 14. This celebration takes place almost one year after Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia Prison.
Previous Columns by Our Auxiliary Bishops
Reclaiming the Lord’s Day
When I am at a parish for the Mass of confirmation, I sometimes ask those to be confirmed if they know why we Catholics keep Sunday as our Sabbath.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMGratitude as a way of life
It seems we are always rushing to the next thing—and often feeling stressed while doing so! We haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving, yet Christmas lights and decorations are already up.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRAN‘Dilexi Te’: Do we love the poor like Christ?
I recently read the first apostolic exhortation of Pope Leo XIV called “Dilexi Te” (I have loved you). The words of our Holy Father challenge us to look again at how we view our neighbor.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGERAdmitting mistakes and seeking forgiveness are part of human condition
One of the hardest things for most people is to admit when we have made a mistake. There are mistakes and then there are sins. We can say that all sins are mistakes, but not all mistakes are sins.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMLord, make me an instrument of peace
There are moments in life that are etched into our memory forever. Sept. 11, 2001, is one such moment—when, in less than two hours, thousands of families, our nation, and the world were changed forever.
By BISHOP JOHN TRANThe gift of our seniors
Every year on the fourth Sunday of July, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to highlight the important role they play in their own families and society.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIThoughtful stewardship of our common home
I grew up in small-town Ohio, where many such towns and counties had a “conservation club.” The club was mostly a loose association devoted to the promotion of sustainable hunting and fishing.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMVocation: A divine calling
On May 31, our seminarians Eric Baylot, Jacob Butz, Juno Lee and Sean Lee were ordained transitional deacons at St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, by Archbishop Hartmayer. Prior to the ordination, I had the opportunity to congratulate and thank them for their generous response to God’s call.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANThe living legacy of Pope Francis
The true scope and impact of Pope Francis’ pontificate will reveal itself more fully in time. That is not to say, however, that we only need to sit back and watch it unfold.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIPraying for the custodians of the Catholic Church’s mission
Until the white smoke is seen above the Sistine Chapel and the watching world emits a cheer, we will continue to pray for the repose of the soul of our recently deceased Servant of the Servants of God, Pope Francis.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMBishop Tran reflects upon the invitation of Pope Francis
“I am forever grateful to Pope Francis for teaching me how to live as a disciple of Jesus,” writes Bishop Tran upon learning of the Holy Father’s death.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANBishop Shlesinger recalls pastoral charity of Pope Francis
“I thank God for Pope Francis, for he has taught me to be a better disciple, a more charitable man and a more pastoral bishop,” said Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIBishop Konzen reflects on Pope Francis’ leadership
“Starting with Pope Pius XII, I have enduring memories of the popes of my lifetime,” writes Bishop Joel Konzen. “But Pope Francis is the one who called me to the episcopacy and whom I’ve met one-on-one in Rome …”
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMFollowing Blessed Carlo Acutis
Although Blessed Carlo died of leukemia at the age of 15, his short but profound life taught us—young and old—many lessons in holiness.
By BISHOP JOHN TRANThe greatest nation with the biggest heart
If self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction and self-reliance are the only concerns of a nation, then it will never be a nation under God, who is love, but only a nation focused simply on self-interests.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIThe church’s tradition of extending care overseas
In addition to so many in the United States deserving our charity, the mission we have to those suffering elsewhere should not be forgotten.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SMThe invitation of Lent
This Lent, perhaps we can think about how to best share our gifts with those who need them most.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANPilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year
Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to inaugurate the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis opened a second Holy Door at the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIPrayers for the dead an act of love and respect
When I am not on a tight schedule and I find myself in Sandy Springs, I will sometimes pull into Arlington Cemetery to visit the graves of the priests and bishops of the archdiocese.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, SM