Father Joe Ziliak Appointed Vicar For Retired Priests
Bishop Charles C. Thompson has appointed Father Joseph L. Ziliak as Vicar for Retired Priests. “This is a new position designed to enhance ministry and service to our retired clergy, in collaboration with positions already in existence.”
His duties will include the following
• serving as a member of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee;
• serving as a resource to the Priest Medical Review Committee;
• ensuring retired priests have end-of-life materials on file with diocese;
• maintaining regular communications with retired priests and maintaining semi-annual contact with each retired priest.
Advocacy will focus on health benefits and coverage, Medicare and Medicaid, retirement benefits, adequate living accommodations, budget request submissions through Ministry to Priests Office, and maintaining record detailing interaction with each retiree.
Father Ziliak said, “This new position indicates a sensitivity on the part of Bishop Thompson to keep contact with and concern for our retired priests. It in no way wants to take over the lives of our priests, but simply to help support and insure that our priests can live out their lives in dignity.
“The vicar's task will include assuring the priests of benefits provided by the Diocese of Evansville, and providing any help requested for medical care or long-term care. He will serve as the point person for communication between the priest and the diocese.
“We have 22 retired priests, whose ages range from 102 to 65; 13 active priests, whose ages range from 75 to 65.
“Most priests have family members or friends who provide support and consultation with daily activities in retirement. The vicar's task is not to supplant them, but to support those relationships in connection with the diocese.”
Father Bernard Etienne, diocesan vicar general, said that in 2012, the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee comprised of Fathers Alex Zenthoefer, Tony Ernst, Phil Kreilein, Steve Lintzenich and Etienne began discussing the possibility of creating a Vicar For Retired Clergy position.
“This idea stemmed from an early 2012 interview with Father Bernie Lutz that indicated the need for more intentional care of our retired priests.
“The committee approached Bishop Thompson seeking his input and he encouraged further discussion. In developing the job description, the committee learned that few dioceses in the United States have such a position.”
